Four Seas One Family : Sharing Stories About Expat and Immigrant LifestylesThu, 09 Aug 2018 19:00:00 +0000Thu, 09 Aug 2018 19:05:40 +0000Libsyn WebEngine 2.0http://www.fourseasonefamily.com
enhttp://www.fourseasonefamily.comshow@fourseasonefamily.com (show@fourseasonefamily.com)http://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/c/b/2/f/cb2f2777e4aa870d/2018-2_JHT_1400_x_1400_.jpgFour Seas One Family : Sharing Stories About Expat and Immigrant LifestylesJames Thomas4s1f,abroad,asia,china,chinese,culture,expat,expatriate,formosa,language,livingabroad,overseas,taiwan,travel,wdevncleanshow@fourseasonefamily.comepisodicFinding What Fits You Perfectly - 4S1F85Finding What Fits You Perfectly - 4S1F85Thu, 09 Aug 2018 19:00:00 +0000This episode we welcome Jenna Davis, an incredible sustainable travel blogger and mom to be, on the show this episode. Originally from The Great White North, Toronto, Canada. Jenna has traveled to over 50 nations. She shares with us her overseas life story on an unseasonably hot summer’s day in Europe.

Hear how Jenna adapted to unexpected occurrences while living overseas and how she learned to use these sudden occurrences to build a better understanding of her overseas environment and, in he end, more about herself as well.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

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And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This episode we welcome Jenna Davis, an incredible sustainable travel blogger and mom to be, on the show this episode. Originally from The Great White North, Toronto, Canada. Jenna has traveled to over 50 nations. She shares with us her overseas life story on an unseasonably hot summer’s day in Europe.

Hear how Jenna adapted to unexpected occurrences while living overseas and how she learned to use these sudden occurrences to build a better understanding of her overseas environment and, in he end, more about herself as well.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>31:38cleangermany,dusseldorfWe welcome Jenna Davis, an incredible sustainable travel blogger and mom to be, on the show this episode. Originally from The Great White North, Toronto, Canada. Jenna has traveled to over 50 nations. She shares with us her overseas life story on an unseasonably hot summer’s day in Europe.85fullJames Thomas, Jenna DavisOur Mistakes Teach Us The Most - 4S1F84Our Mistakes Teaches Us The MostThu, 02 Aug 2018 19:00:00 +0000This episode we have someone who honestly looks at the world from not only a realistic, but also a spiritual point of view that in many ways exemplifies basic human characteristics and values. Peter Fogtdal, a humorous Danish author, writer and lecturer, shares with us his unique view of life while living as an immigrant and working in the United States. Tune in to hear this proud Dane’s observations of how he relates and compares his life overseas in his host nation to life and events in his home nation.

Peter has a voice made for broadcasting and, at the time of this broadcast, 14 novels under his belt and some of which have a satirical tone but at the same time exemplifies Peter’s spiritual values.

I found Peter to be full of energy and I think that helps him to define and explain what he sees around him in a humorous way.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This episode we have someone who honestly looks at the world from not only a realistic, but also a spiritual point of view that in many ways exemplifies basic human characteristics and values. Peter Fogtdal, a humorous Danish author, writer and lecturer, shares with us his unique view of life while living as an immigrant and working in the United States. Tune in to hear this proud Dane’s observations of how he relates and compares his life overseas in his host nation to life and events in his home nation.

Peter has a voice made for broadcasting and, at the time of this broadcast, 14 novels under his belt and some of which have a satirical tone but at the same time exemplifies Peter’s spiritual values.

I found Peter to be full of energy and I think that helps him to define and explain what he sees around him in a humorous way.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>45:33cleanPeter Fogtdal, a humorous Danish author, writer and lecturer, shares with us his unique view of life while living as an immigrant and working in the United States. Tune in to hear this proud Dane’s observations of how he relates and compares his life overseas in his host nation to life and events in his home nation.84fullJames Thomas, Peter FogtdalDaily Human Connections Make the Difference - 4S1F83Daily Human Connections Make the DifferenceWed, 18 Jul 2018 17:00:00 +0000No one can really ever predict with absolute accuracy the road life will take them. Desires, wishes and dreams may at first just seam to be passing thoughts with no reason to take action to see to completion. This episode we catch up with someone who had a simple desire to one day live abroad. Luckily, in this case, a decision that was made by our guest did in fact lead to her current life overseas.

Today we talk to a self proclaimed city girl with a country soul. Joining us from her secret hideaway in Europe, Jasmine Mah, a prolific blogger from North America, joins us to share her, what I would call romantic, story about how she ended up living overseas and also how she has adopted to her new life abroad. Hear how she learnt to make adjustments to her persona that helped her adapt to her new overseas environment.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>No one can really ever predict with absolute accuracy the road life will take them. Desires, wishes and dreams may at first just seam to be passing thoughts with no reason to take action to see to completion. This episode we catch up with someone who had a simple desire to one day live abroad. Luckily, in this case, a decision that was made by our guest did in fact lead to her current life overseas.

Today we talk to a self proclaimed city girl with a country soul. Joining us from her secret hideaway in Europe, Jasmine Mah, a prolific blogger from North America, joins us to share her, what I would call romantic, story about how she ended up living overseas and also how she has adopted to her new life abroad. Hear how she learnt to make adjustments to her persona that helped her adapt to her new overseas environment.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>25:02cleanitaly,canada,immigrant,expatDesires, wishes and dreams may at first just seam to be passing thoughts with no reason to take action to see to completion. We talk to a self proclaimed city girl with a country soul. Joining us from her secret hideaway in Europe, Jasmine Mah, a prolific blogger from North America, joins us to share her romantic story of how she ended up living overseas and adopted to her new life abroad. Hear how she learnt to make adjustments to her persona that helped her adapt to her new overseas environment.83fullJames Thomas, Jasmine MahExpat, Immigrant, Stress and Anxiety - 4S1F82Expat, Immigrant, Stress and AnxietyTue, 26 Jun 2018 22:00:00 +0000No matter where we are in life there will always be challenges and some of them will bring wonderful surprises along with disappointments. Expats, immigrants and migrants will face these facts regardless of where they are.

The question at this point is what happens when an overseas experience isn’t going well? What occurs when a foreign national is overwhelmed with an inability to adjust to living in their host nation that may later lead to stress and anxiety? What can a foreign national do to deal with a stressful life abroad short of returning to their home nation?

In this episode, we dive into tips for learning how to adjust to disparaging situations by first acknowledging and bring them to the front.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>No matter where we are in life there will always be challenges and some of them will bring wonderful surprises along with disappointments. Expats, immigrants and migrants will face these facts regardless of where they are.

The question at this point is what happens when an overseas experience isn’t going well? What occurs when a foreign national is overwhelmed with an inability to adjust to living in their host nation that may later lead to stress and anxiety? What can a foreign national do to deal with a stressful life abroad short of returning to their home nation?

In this episode, we dive into tips for learning how to adjust to disparaging situations by first acknowledging and bring them to the front.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>24:17cleanstress,anxietyWhat happens when an overseas experience isn’t going well? What occurs when a foreign national is overwhelmed with an inability to adjust to living in their host nation that may later lead to stress and anxiety? What can a foreign national do to deal with a stressful life abroad short of returning to their home nation?82fullJames ThomasLiving Abroad is a Mindset-4S1F81Living Abroad is a MindsetMon, 11 Jun 2018 17:00:00 +0000There are many reasons why expats, immigrants and migrants choose to live a life abroad. Some have decided to look abroad to find a missing part of themselves or just to get away from situations that they felt were obstacles or factors limiting their physical, psychological, financial and, in some cases, spiritual or creative development. Many have simply decided to look and journey abroad to quench their thirst for adventure.

In this episode, I converse with American expat traveller and cook, Deonté Daniels. Deonté is someone who has decided to explore an existence overseas for reasons much like the ones I’ve just mentioned.

I should also mention that this is one interview that I felt I could have gone much deeper and because of this I hope that I will be able to continue with this discussion in the near future and use it as an insight of how my guest sees his life overseas from another point in time.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>There are many reasons why expats, immigrants and migrants choose to live a life abroad. Some have decided to look abroad to find a missing part of themselves or just to get away from situations that they felt were obstacles or factors limiting their physical, psychological, financial and, in some cases, spiritual or creative development. Many have simply decided to look and journey abroad to quench their thirst for adventure.

In this episode, I converse with American expat traveller and cook, Deonté Daniels. Deonté is someone who has decided to explore an existence overseas for reasons much like the ones I’ve just mentioned.

I should also mention that this is one interview that I felt I could have gone much deeper and because of this I hope that I will be able to continue with this discussion in the near future and use it as an insight of how my guest sees his life overseas from another point in time.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>27:51cleanchi,city,ho,vietnam,minhThere are many reasons why expats, immigrants and migrants choose to live a life abroad. Many have simply decided to journey abroad to quench their thirst for adventure. American expat traveller and cook Deonté Daniels joins us this episode. Deonté is someone who has decided to explore an existence overseas to find his inner peace. Hear why he decided to head overseas to a place unlike the nation of his birth.81fullJames Thomas, Deonté DanielsPodcast Update May 5th 2018Podcast Update May 5th 2018Thu, 24 May 2018 13:16:02 +0000Just to let you know that we are still here and will be back soon. We are gathering guests for future podcasts and we are looking forward to bringing you interesting stories from interesting storytellers all over the world. And thank you very much for being a Four Seas One Family listener.]]>Just to let you know that we are still here and will be back soon. We are gathering guests for future podcasts and we are looking forward to bringing you interesting stories from interesting storytellers all over the world. And thank you very much for being a Four Seas One Family listener.]]>29cleanJust to let you know that we are still here and will be back soon. We are gathering guests for future podcasts and we are looking forward to bringing you interesting stories from interesting storytellers all over the world. And thank you very much for being a Four Seas One Family listener.trailerJames ThomasKeep it in perspective By Seeing The Value n Where You Are - 4S1F80Keep it in perspective By Seeing The Value n Where You AreWed, 09 May 2018 17:00:00 +0000Anyone who has lived overseas for an extended period of time has looked back at least once on their experience and wondered how they managed to overcome the cultural issues they faced while abroad. This may sound ridiculous but it never ceases to amaze how bits and peaces of cultural unawareness and bewilderment can later lead to an even deeper understanding and appreciation.

Most of what was stated above is encapsulated in the words of our guest this episode, Mr. Will Brooks. Will is an active blogger and web broadcaster from the West Coast of the United States but for this episode joins us from the place he now calls home, South Korea. Hear and follow how he and his Korean wife are raising their TCK child (third culture kid). Tune in to hear how Will learned to not let false impressions affect him and how his persistence helped him open doors that weren’t previously available.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Anyone who has lived overseas for an extended period of time has looked back at least once on their experience and wondered how they managed to overcome the cultural issues they faced while abroad. This may sound ridiculous but it never ceases to amaze how bits and peaces of cultural unawareness and bewilderment can later lead to an even deeper understanding and appreciation.

Most of what was stated above is encapsulated in the words of our guest this episode, Mr. Will Brooks. Will is an active blogger and web broadcaster from the West Coast of the United States but for this episode joins us from the place he now calls home, South Korea. Hear and follow how he and his Korean wife are raising their TCK child (third culture kid). Tune in to hear how Will learned to not let false impressions affect him and how his persistence helped him open doors that weren’t previously available.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>57:44cleankorea,southJoin us as we sit down for a chat with Mr. Will Brooks. Will is an active blogger and web broadcaster from the West Coast of the United States but for this episode joins us from the place he now calls home, South Korea. Hear how he see the current events in Koreas and how he and his Korean wife are raising their third culture kid.80fullJames ThomasFeeling Yourself Through The World - 4S1F79Feeling Yourself Through The World Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000There are many doors that we have to open and close to reach our life goals. Some doors are slammed in our faces and sometimes we have to slam the doors ourselves in order to preserve the little time we have. And because of this, it isn’t often that we come across people that have developed the ability to without hesitation unconditionally accept all the ups and downs life has to offer without regrets. On this podcast episode, we are lucky to have someone who is a true living and functional example of this fact.

This episode we welcome American world traveler, Crystal Lynn Bell. Ms. Bell started traveling the world at an early age and is currently living in Zagred, Croatia and calls herself a spiritual empowerment coach and traveling mystic. She travels the world offering spiritual guidance to those who are looking for a closer connection to themselves, the world and others.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>There are many doors that we have to open and close to reach our life goals. Some doors are slammed in our faces and sometimes we have to slam the doors ourselves in order to preserve the little time we have. And because of this, it isn’t often that we come across people that have developed the ability to without hesitation unconditionally accept all the ups and downs life has to offer without regrets. On this podcast episode, we are lucky to have someone who is a true living and functional example of this fact.

This episode we welcome American world traveler, Crystal Lynn Bell. Ms. Bell started traveling the world at an early age and is currently living in Zagred, Croatia and calls herself a spiritual empowerment coach and traveling mystic. She travels the world offering spiritual guidance to those who are looking for a closer connection to themselves, the world and others.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>44:45cleancoach,spiritual,empowermentIt isn’t often that we come across people that have developed the ability to without hesitation unconditionally accept all the ups and downs life has to offer without regrets. This episode we have an example of such a person. American world traveler Crystal Lynn Bell joins use this episode from. Ms. Bell Zagred, Croatia. Ms. Bell calls herself a spiritual empowerment coach and traveling mystic.79fullJames ThomasDon't Try to Recreate What You Had at Home - 4S1F78Don't Try to Recreate What You Had at HomeWed, 25 Apr 2018 17:00:00 +0000Meg and Rob, along with their fur baby, Jack, had what many people would call a dream life. However, it wasn't bring the type of satifaction they desired, so in 2016, they decided it was time to pack it all up and leave the "rat race"of their home nation to search for a lighter and more fulfilling life abroad. They became more determined to get quality out of their lives. In order to do so, they got their priorities straight and one major step they took was to declutter their living space. Meg and Rob figured out what mattered to them the most and began to chronicle the steps they are taking to achieve their goals on their website "This is Us Living". Their blog posts demonstrates to others how they too can maintain a minimalist lifestyle while living and traveling abroad.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Meg and Rob, along with their fur baby, Jack, had what many people would call a dream life. However, it wasn't bring the type of satifaction they desired, so in 2016, they decided it was time to pack it all up and leave the "rat race"of their home nation to search for a lighter and more fulfilling life abroad. They became more determined to get quality out of their lives. In order to do so, they got their priorities straight and one major step they took was to declutter their living space. Meg and Rob figured out what mattered to them the most and began to chronicle the steps they are taking to achieve their goals on their website "This is Us Living". Their blog posts demonstrates to others how they too can maintain a minimalist lifestyle while living and traveling abroad. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>45:03cleandeclutter,minimalist,minimalismMeg and Rob, along with their fur baby, Jack, had what many people would call a dream life. However, it wasn’t bring the type of satifaction they desired, so in 2016, they decided it was time to pack it all up and leave the “rat race”of their home nation to search for a lighter and more fulfilling life abroad.78fullJames ThomasThere is no one size that fits all - 4S1F77There is no one size that fits allWed, 18 Apr 2018 17:00:00 +0000Foreign nationals explore and come from all over the world and they all bring their own personal unique branding to their overseas experience. Both foreign nationals and local citizens alike can benefit vastly by interacting with each other. By doing so, not only can stereotypes be debunked, but also deep understandings built.

We are honored to have Errol Manuel on the show. Errol is a foreign national from India living in the windy tech capital of Taiwan, Hsinchu. Hear why Errol says he and his wife are taking, what some would call, an unconventional approach to raising children abroad. By the way, if you’re careful, you might learn something about Indian culture.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Foreign nationals explore and come from all over the world and they all bring their own personal unique branding to their overseas experience. Both foreign nationals and local citizens alike can benefit vastly by interacting with each other. By doing so, not only can stereotypes be debunked, but also deep understandings built.

We are honored to have Errol Manuel on the show. Errol is a foreign national from India living in the windy tech capital of Taiwan, Hsinchu. Hear why Errol says he and his wife are taking, what some would call, an unconventional approach to raising children abroad. By the way, if you’re careful, you might learn something about Indian culture.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>28:14cleanhomeschoolingForeign nationals explore and come from all over the world and they all bring their own personal unique branding to their overseas experience. Both foreign nationals and local citizens alike can benefit vastly by interacting with each other. By doing so, not only can stereotypes be debunked, but also deep understandings built.77fullJames Thomas, Errol ManuelBe Bold and Ask For Help - 4S1F76Be Bold and Ask For HelpThu, 12 Apr 2018 19:00:00 +0000It’s rare that we come across people who have explosive and bubbling personalities that makes us want to smile and keep smiling. We are happy,…, no ecstatic to have American expat Jacqueline Bruce as a guest. It’s hard to not be influenced by her positive energy. It’s easy to hear and feel this radiating from her voice and warm smile.

Jacqueline is a professional opera singer living in Berlin, Germany. Listen to her story of how she, at a very early age, became interested in singing and studying opera in the US. Find out what led her to look abroad to greener pastures in Europe to pursue her dream of performing and, when time allows, teaching opera.

Memorable Notes!

Jacqueline also teaches opera via Skype and Facetime. If you or anyone you know is interested in studying opera, please contact her and let her know that you heard this episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It’s rare that we come across people who have explosive and bubbling personalities that makes us want to smile and keep smiling. We are happy,…, no ecstatic to have American expat Jacqueline Bruce as a guest. It’s hard to not be influenced by her positive energy. It’s easy to hear and feel this radiating from her voice and warm smile.

Jacqueline is a professional opera singer living in Berlin, Germany. Listen to her story of how she, at a very early age, became interested in singing and studying opera in the US. Find out what led her to look abroad to greener pastures in Europe to pursue her dream of performing and, when time allows, teaching opera.

Memorable Notes!

Jacqueline also teaches opera via Skype and Facetime. If you or anyone you know is interested in studying opera, please contact her and let her know that you heard this episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>37:17cleanbruce,jacquelineIt’s rare that we come across people who have explosive and bubbling personalities that makes us want to smile and keep smiling. We are happy,…, no ecstatic to have American expat Jacqueline Bruce as a guest. It’s hard to not be influenced by her positive energy. It’s easy to hear and feel this radiating from her voice and warm smile.76fullJames ThomasLook Forward to Not Being ScammedLook Forward to Not Being ScammedWed, 04 Apr 2018 17:00:00 +0000While overseas, a negative encounter may leave a bitter taste in the mouth of a traveler. Stories of being cheated or scammed by members of a local population can be heard from travelers of every nation. However, many of these observations, although unfortunate, are not only one-sided, but also unfair.

Some travelers have reported that they had been overcharged and or underserved by local store owners and service providers which left them with a negative impression of the local or indigenous population. In turn, these negative impressions were later applied to the people of other nations. It is true that many nations with a high level of tourist from overseas have areas where an unexpected tourist or traveler could be easily misled and swindled.

In this episode we help travelers prepare for the eventuality of being cheated or scammed. We give examples of some commonly used scheming and scamming tactics along with what can be done to avoid being taken advantage of. Keep in mind that many of these negative experiences can also happen in one’s own home nation and isn’t exclusive to any nation.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>While overseas, a negative encounter may leave a bitter taste in the mouth of a traveler. Stories of being cheated or scammed by members of a local population can be heard from travelers of every nation. However, many of these observations, although unfortunate, are not only one-sided, but also unfair.

Some travelers have reported that they had been overcharged and or underserved by local store owners and service providers which left them with a negative impression of the local or indigenous population. In turn, these negative impressions were later applied to the people of other nations. It is true that many nations with a high level of tourist from overseas have areas where an unexpected tourist or traveler could be easily misled and swindled.

In this episode we help travelers prepare for the eventuality of being cheated or scammed. We give examples of some commonly used scheming and scamming tactics along with what can be done to avoid being taken advantage of. Keep in mind that many of these negative experiences can also happen in one’s own home nation and isn’t exclusive to any nation.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>32:20cleanscam,scammersIn this episode we help travelers prepare for the eventuality of being cheated or scammed. We give examples of some commonly used scheming and scamming tactics along with what can be done to avoid being taken advantage of. Keep in mind that many of these negative experiences can also happen in one’s own home nation and isn’t exclusive to any nation.75fullJames ThomasChange is Never Easy - 4S1F74Change is Never EasyWed, 28 Mar 2018 19:00:00 +0000Welcome to a roller coaster of an episode. We have American travel writers Joshua Samuel Brown and Stephanie Huffman as our guests this episode. Joshua and Stephanie are travel writers with a new book coming out soon (May 2018) that centers on traveling in Taiwan. Joshua and Stephanie are a couple that always seem to have a limitless supply of unpredictable energy and creativity. Joshua has written many articles from many countries for popular magazines which includes The Lonely Planet travel guide series. Hear how Joshua, a fast paced New Yorker, persuaded Stephanie, a small town girl from Portland, Oregon, to join him on his overseas travel writing journey. Oh, listen in and find out what is “The Talk”.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Welcome to a roller coaster of an episode. We have American travel writers Joshua Samuel Brown and Stephanie Huffman as our guests this episode. Joshua and Stephanie are travel writers with a new book coming out soon (May 2018) that centers on traveling in Taiwan. Joshua and Stephanie are a couple that always seem to have a limitless supply of unpredictable energy and creativity. Joshua has written many articles from many countries for popular magazines which includes The Lonely Planet travel guide series. Hear how Joshua, a fast paced New Yorker, persuaded Stephanie, a small town girl from Portland, Oregon, to join him on his overseas travel writing journey. Oh, listen in and find out what is “The Talk”. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>58:22cleanjames,samuel,brown,thomas,joshuaJoshua has written many articles from many countries for popular magazines which includes The Lonely Planet travel guide series. Hear how Joshua, a fast paced New Yorker, persuaded Stephanie, a small town girl from Portland, Oregon, to join him on his overseas travel writing journey. 74fullJames Thomas, Joshua Samuel Brown, Stephanie HuffmanBe Open At the Very First Moment - 4S1F73Be Open At the Very First MomentSun, 25 Mar 2018 22:19:22 +0000We are happy to have Mr. Mark Korondi as our guest this episode. He is one of the most energetic and mindful people to have been interviewed on this podcast. Mark has had his eye on his host nation for a while and was lucky to be offered a job to take him there! He explains why it is extremely important to invest time in learning about the local culture and language of the nation you reside in as it greatly lowers communication barriers.

Mark also passionately explains how he has become captivated by the beautiful mountains standing tall in his overseas home, Zürich Switzerland, which isn't to far from his home nation, Hungary. Mark mentions some steps people can take to make their overseas life more satisfying.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>We are happy to have Mr. Mark Korondi as our guest this episode. He is one of the most energetic and mindful people to have been interviewed on this podcast. Mark has had his eye on his host nation for a while and was lucky to be offered a job to take him there! He explains why it is extremely important to invest time in learning about the local culture and language of the nation you reside in as it greatly lowers communication barriers.

Mark also passionately explains how he has become captivated by the beautiful mountains standing tall in his overseas home, Zürich Switzerland, which isn't to far from his home nation, Hungary. Mark mentions some steps people can take to make their overseas life more satisfying.

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>38:55cleanswitzerland,zrichWe are happy to have Mr. Mark Korondi as our guest this episode. He is one of the most energetic and mindful people to have been interviewed on this podcast. Mark has had his eye on his host nation for a while and was lucky to be offered a job to take him there! He explains why it is extremely important to invest time in learning about the local culture and language of the nation you reside in as it greatly lowers communication barriers.73fullMark KorondiDon't be Afraid to Make a Change in Your Life - 4S1F72Don't be Afraid to Make a Change in Your LifeWed, 31 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000Learning a new language is often the deal breaker when deciding whether or not to go to, and more so, live in a different nation. Learning a new language may also be the ignitor that causes someone to focus on the nation where the language is commonly spoken.

We sit down for a chat with UK expat and blogger, Henissi. Henissi shares her story of why she chose to go to Valencia, Spain and why she hopes of one day making it her new home. Hear some of the highlights and comparisons she makes of her life in Spain. Also, listen to how she carefully squashes a few stereotypes people from other nations may have about Spain and Spaniards in general. Get a glimpse of how this forward thinking Spanish language learner is embracing her life and future in Spain.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Henissi's blog focuses on giving people a peek into life in Spain by introducing cool and interesting places to visit. Her blog also goes into her personal reasons for wanting to move to Spain with the hope of helping others like herself who are thinking about relocating to Spain

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Learning a new language is often the deal breaker when deciding whether or not to go to, and more so, live in a different nation. Learning a new language may also be the ignitor that causes someone to focus on the nation where the language is commonly spoken.

We sit down for a chat with UK expat and blogger, Henissi. Henissi shares her story of why she chose to go to Valencia, Spain and why she hopes of one day making it her new home. Hear some of the highlights and comparisons she makes of her life in Spain. Also, listen to how she carefully squashes a few stereotypes people from other nations may have about Spain and Spaniards in general. Get a glimpse of how this forward thinking Spanish language learner is embracing her life and future in Spain.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Henissi's blog focuses on giving people a peek into life in Spain by introducing cool and interesting places to visit. Her blog also goes into her personal reasons for wanting to move to Spain with the hope of helping others like herself who are thinking about relocating to Spain

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>32:05cleanspain,valenciaLearning a new language is often the deal breaker when deciding whether or not to go to, and more so, live in a different nation. Learning a new language may also be the ignitor that causes someone to focus on the nation where the language is commonly spoken.
We sit down for a chat with UK expat and blogger, Henissi. Henissi shares her story of why she chose to go to Valencia, Spain and why she hopes of one day making it her new home.72fullJames Thomas, HenissiLearn to Become More Tolerant - 4S1F71Learn to Become More TolerantSat, 30 Dec 2017 18:30:00 +0000It is impossible to know when or where your life will take a sudden turn. Sometimes the turns leads to a path that is not only unpredictable, but also impossible to prepare for. Our guest this episode shows that the key to finding and implementing successful adjustments is to maintain a positive attitude and the willingness to remain flexible.

This episode we welcome American immigrant Michael Harling to the show. Michael isn’t afraid of facing and overcoming challenges. After coming off a long and successful civil service career, Michael decided to make a change in his life. However, Michael didn’t start off with a plan to travel abroad and as a result made a lot of mistakes. It looks like Lady Luck was on his side. Michael translated his adventures into a blog and later into books. Hear how Michael found the love of his life and became part of his host nation’s community.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Website:

Postcards From Across the Pond

Books:

Postcards from across The Pond,

More Postcards from across The Pond,

Postcards from Ireland

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It is impossible to know when or where your life will take a sudden turn. Sometimes the turns leads to a path that is not only unpredictable, but also impossible to prepare for. Our guest this episode shows that the key to finding and implementing successful adjustments is to maintain a positive attitude and the willingness to remain flexible.

This episode we welcome American immigrant Michael Harling to the show. Michael isn’t afraid of facing and overcoming challenges. After coming off a long and successful civil service career, Michael decided to make a change in his life. However, Michael didn’t start off with a plan to travel abroad and as a result made a lot of mistakes. It looks like Lady Luck was on his side. Michael translated his adventures into a blog and later into books. Hear how Michael found the love of his life and became part of his host nation’s community.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Website:

Postcards From Across the Pond

Books:

Postcards from across The Pond,

More Postcards from across The Pond,

Postcards from Ireland

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>42:08cleanIt is impossible to know when or where your life will take a sudden turn. Sometimes the turns leads to a path that is not only unpredictable, but also impossible to prepare for. Our guest this episode shows that the key to finding and implementing successful adjustments is to maintain a positive attitude and the willingness to remain flexible. 71fullJames Thomas, Michael HarlingPrivilege and the Expatriate vs. Immigrant Status - 4S1F70Privilege and the Expatriate vs. Immigrant StatusSat, 23 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000The ways foreigners are described or classified have a direct link to how they are treated or accommodated in a host country. The terms used to describe foreigners have a direct impact on not only how fellow foreigners see themselves, but also how local populations interact with foreign nationals living amongst them.

How should people who aren’t “natives” of a particular country be classified? This question has taken on more of a forefront position in the collective thinking of many nations that once welcomed foreign nationals but today feel that they are more of a burden on their nation than contributors to the development of their nation.

In this short episode, we go very deep into finding out how the terms expatriate, immigrant, emigrant and migrant are used to describe people who aren’t “natives” of the country they reside in. We present some blunt points to show how some of these terms are related in history as well as how these terms are used in modern-times.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>The ways foreigners are described or classified have a direct link to how they are treated or accommodated in a host country. The terms used to describe foreigners have a direct impact on not only how fellow foreigners see themselves, but also how local populations interact with foreign nationals living amongst them.

How should people who aren’t “natives” of a particular country be classified? This question has taken on more of a forefront position in the collective thinking of many nations that once welcomed foreign nationals but today feel that they are more of a burden on their nation than contributors to the development of their nation.

In this short episode, we go very deep into finding out how the terms expatriate, immigrant, emigrant and migrant are used to describe people who aren’t “natives” of the country they reside in. We present some blunt points to show how some of these terms are related in history as well as how these terms are used in modern-times.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons below.

Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>22:49cleanHow should people who aren’t “natives” of a particular country be classified? This question has taken on more of a forefront position in the collective thinking of many nations that once welcomed foreign nationals but today feel that they are more of a burden on their nation than contributors to the development of their nation.70fullJames ThomasTake The Time To Reflect- 4S1F69Take The Time To Reflect Wed, 22 Nov 2017 16:00:00 +0000It's amazing how learning about an overseas location can excite a person's curiosity. Learning about the intricate components of a nation and its history can be the impetus for someone to want to place themselves within the environment they are learning about.

In this episode we sit down for chat with McKenzie Dow. McKenzie is an American expat currently living in Dublin, Ireland. She became interested in Ireland after taking courses about the nation. Overtime, she became inseparable from her adopted nation.

Tune in to hear how this energetic American expat fell in love with her host nation while at the same time pursuing a Ph.D. related to child development. McKenzie also goes over some of the differences she has noticed in education. By the way, what is this Fergus thing?

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It's amazing how learning about an overseas location can excite a person's curiosity. Learning about the intricate components of a nation and its history can be the impetus for someone to want to place themselves within the environment they are learning about.

In this episode we sit down for chat with McKenzie Dow. McKenzie is an American expat currently living in Dublin, Ireland. She became interested in Ireland after taking courses about the nation. Overtime, she became inseparable from her adopted nation.

Tune in to hear how this energetic American expat fell in love with her host nation while at the same time pursuing a Ph.D. related to child development. McKenzie also goes over some of the differences she has noticed in education. By the way, what is this Fergus thing?

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>29:24cleanreflectionIt’s amazing how learning about an overseas location can excite a person’s curiosity. Hear how this American expat learnt about the intricate components of a nation and its history which later turned into the impetus for her to want to place herself within the environment she was learning about.69fullMcKenzie DowIPD: Podcasting in the Asian Region - 4S1F68IPD: Podcasting in the Asian RegionWed, 18 Oct 2017 23:13:10 +0000Here is a bonus episode recorded on October 1st 2017 for International Podcasts Day. I was the second remote speaker and I spoke about Podcasting in the Asian Region. I am honored to have been chosen to take part in this celebration of podcasting.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Here is a bonus episode recorded on October 1st 2017 for International Podcasts Day. I was the second remote speaker and I spoke about Podcasting in the Asian Region. I am honored to have been chosen to take part in this celebration of podcasting.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>40:55cleanHere is a bonus episode recorded on October 1st 2017 for International Podcasts Day. I was the second remote speaker and I spoke about Podcasting in the Asian Region. I am honored to have been chosen to take part in this celebration of podcasting.
Youtube: James Thomas: Podcasting in the Asian Region
Youtube: International Podcast Day (Full Broadcast)
Facebook Page: International Podcast Day
Twitter: @International Podcast Day68bonusJames ThomasUpdate: Return from 2017 LA PodfestUpdate: 10-15-2017Sun, 15 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000Hello Four Seas One Family listeners. We are still here. It's been a busy few weeks and we just got back from the 2017 LA Podfest! It was great meeting other podcasters to share thoughts on the current state of podcasting. Podcasting has become a major force in getting and sharing information listeners need without barriers.

We have a few things lined up for future podcasts and we can't wait to get back in action to give our expat and future expat listeners the information they need to make their lives overseas a rewarding and precious experience. First line of text

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Hello Four Seas One Family listeners. We are still here. It's been a busy few weeks and we just got back from the 2017 LA Podfest! It was great meeting other podcasters to share thoughts on the current state of podcasting. Podcasting has become a major force in getting and sharing information listeners need without barriers.

We have a few things lined up for future podcasts and we can't wait to get back in action to give our expat and future expat listeners the information they need to make their lives overseas a rewarding and precious experience. First line of text

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>02:02cleanWe are still here. It’s been a busy few weeks and we just got back from the 2017 LA Podfest! It was great meeting other podcasters to share thoughts on the current state of podcasting. Podcasting has become a major force in getting and sharing information listeners need without barriers.fullJames ThomasExpat Overseas Homecoming - 4S1F67Expat Overseas HomecomingWed, 20 Sep 2017 17:00:00 +0000Occasionally long-term expats get the urge to revisit places that were or remind them of their first overseas experience. This gives the expat a type of overseas homecoming which causes him or her to reflect on their overseas experience.

Many expats who have had the opportunity to revisit their old "stomping grounds" reminisce about the times when things were fresh, raw, new, unfamiliar or just simply confusing. These reflections causes an expat to see how much of their overseas experience allowed them to grow in ways unattainable by just living in their home nation alone.

These expats find themselves talking about how things used to be and how things have developed or, in some cases, regressed. But no matter which way the needle may have moved, a sense of something exotic still remains fresh in the air.

Today we sit down for a chat with long-term American expat, and fellow podcaster, Stephanie Fuccio. Stephanie has traveled to many places overseas and currently calls Shanghai, China home but this episode she drops by our studio in Taipei, Taiwan to share with us her experience in her first home in Asia Tainan, Taiwan.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Occasionally long-term expats get the urge to revisit places that were or remind them of their first overseas experience. This gives the expat a type of overseas homecoming which causes him or her to reflect on their overseas experience.

Many expats who have had the opportunity to revisit their old "stomping grounds" reminisce about the times when things were fresh, raw, new, unfamiliar or just simply confusing. These reflections causes an expat to see how much of their overseas experience allowed them to grow in ways unattainable by just living in their home nation alone.

These expats find themselves talking about how things used to be and how things have developed or, in some cases, regressed. But no matter which way the needle may have moved, a sense of something exotic still remains fresh in the air.

Today we sit down for a chat with long-term American expat, and fellow podcaster, Stephanie Fuccio. Stephanie has traveled to many places overseas and currently calls Shanghai, China home but this episode she drops by our studio in Taipei, Taiwan to share with us her experience in her first home in Asia Tainan, Taiwan.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>40:05cleanhomecoming,revisitingOccasionally long-term expats get the urge to revisit places that were or remind them of their first overseas experience. This gives the expat a type of overseas homecoming which causes him or her to reflect on their overseas experience.67fullJames ThomasLearning to be Genuine with People - 4S1F66Learning to be Genuine with PeopleTue, 12 Sep 2017 12:26:39 +0000It shouldn't be a surprise to find out that the education we were constantly taught during our childhoods about the world was filtered through trends, politics and, in some cases, the dominant religion of our home nation. As a result, many of us start off with a worldview that was designed to uphold the values of our home nation. In some nations, this created a veil over the eyes of its population that may later lead to a fear of people and cultures that differ from their own.

When expats venture abroad and find out that the local population they live among daily or the culture they have been immersed in don't adhere to what they were taught in their home nation, they begin to reevaluate their views of the world and it's people. In some cases, this re-examination causes some expats to raise deep concerning questions about both their home and host nation.

All of the above has much to do with the discoveries made by our guest. We are honored to have American expat Chloé Skye on the podcast this episode. Chloé is joining us from Brno, Czech Republic. Chloé has done some cools things. She was a Fulbright recipient and English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in a small town outside of Brno, Czech Republic (Click this link to a wonderful article about Chloé). She enjoys traveling, learning languages and performs spoken word poetry! Hear what cultural discoveries this New Yorker made which caused her to re-examine the way she views the world.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Find out what Chloé calls "The Czech Super Power". It's not what you think! Who knows? You may want to give it a try.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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]]>It shouldn't be a surprise to find out that the education we were constantly taught during our childhoods about the world was filtered through trends, politics and, in some cases, the dominant religion of our home nation. As a result, many of us start off with a worldview that was designed to uphold the values of our home nation. In some nations, this created a veil over the eyes of its population that may later lead to a fear of people and cultures that differ from their own.

When expats venture abroad and find out that the local population they live among daily or the culture they have been immersed in don't adhere to what they were taught in their home nation, they begin to reevaluate their views of the world and it's people. In some cases, this re-examination causes some expats to raise deep concerning questions about both their home and host nation.

All of the above has much to do with the discoveries made by our guest. We are honored to have American expat Chloé Skye on the podcast this episode. Chloé is joining us from Brno, Czech Republic. Chloé has done some cools things. She was a Fulbright recipient and English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in a small town outside of Brno, Czech Republic (Click this link to a wonderful article about Chloé). She enjoys traveling, learning languages and performs spoken word poetry! Hear what cultural discoveries this New Yorker made which caused her to re-examine the way she views the world.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Find out what Chloé calls "The Czech Super Power". It's not what you think! Who knows? You may want to give it a try.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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]]>41:19cleanrepublic,czech,brnoWhen expats venture abroad and find out that the local population they live among daily or the culture they have been immersed in don’t adhere to what they were taught in their home nation, they begin to reevaluate their views of the world and it’s people.
With in in mind American expat Cholé Skye is joining us from Brno, Czech Republic. She was a Fulbright recipient and English Teaching Assistant in a small town outside of Brno, Czech Republic66fullJames ThomasEmbrace The Positive About Everyplace You Live - 4S1F65Embrace The Positive About Everyplace You LiveFri, 08 Sep 2017 17:00:00 +0000What is the mindset that should be embraced when having to constantly relocate and adjust to life all over the world? Are there any positive pointers that can help make our overseas experiences more beneficial to not only ourselves, but also to those who we interact with during our journeys?

Surely, there isn't only one solution to solve all the problems or unforeseen situations we encounter while living abroad but there may be a mindset that we can live by to help us overcome and cope with obstacles while in unfamiliar environments.

Listen in to our wonderful Stateside connected conversation with Angie Drake. As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), Angie may have traveling coded deep within her DNA. Angie and her husband, who has a long career working for the U.S. government, have been traveling all over the world with their two boys. However, Angie has a special room in her heart for Ecuador and shares many of her overseas experiences through her photography that can be found at her website: Not Your Average American.

Listen in and hear why focusing on all the negatives of you overseas life just brings unneeded stress and why it’s better to learn to embrace the positive about everyplace you live.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>What is the mindset that should be embraced when having to constantly relocate and adjust to life all over the world? Are there any positive pointers that can help make our overseas experiences more beneficial to not only ourselves, but also to those who we interact with during our journeys?

Surely, there isn't only one solution to solve all the problems or unforeseen situations we encounter while living abroad but there may be a mindset that we can live by to help us overcome and cope with obstacles while in unfamiliar environments.

Listen in to our wonderful Stateside connected conversation with Angie Drake. As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), Angie may have traveling coded deep within her DNA. Angie and her husband, who has a long career working for the U.S. government, have been traveling all over the world with their two boys. However, Angie has a special room in her heart for Ecuador and shares many of her overseas experiences through her photography that can be found at her website: Not Your Average American.

Listen in and hear why focusing on all the negatives of you overseas life just brings unneeded stress and why it’s better to learn to embrace the positive about everyplace you live.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>37:38cleantravel,government,expatAre there any positive pointers that can help make our overseas experiences more beneficial to not only ourselves, but also to those who we interact with during our journeys? Listen in to our wonderful Stateside connected conversation with Angie Drake. Angie and her husband, who has a long career working for the U.S. government, have been traveling all over the world with their two boys.65fullJames ThomasMore Opportunities For Understandings - 4S1F64More Opportunities For UnderstandingsSat, 19 Aug 2017 18:30:00 +0000American expat, Jason Hunter, in Southern Taiwan joins us on the podcast. As a result of his observations working in his profession, Jason is able to explain how businesses are more interconnected than ever. He points out that modern-day businesses simply can't and maybe shouldn’t do everything on their own. The reason is that international cooperations don't only benefit businesses, but also consumers in the long run.

He also demonstrates why it’s important for not only businesses to cooperate with each other, but also for nations as well. He points out that it wouldn’t be wise for national leaders to close a nation’s doors to the outside world. If nations are unable to source needed materials both abroad and into their nations, cost will rise and cross-border job opportunities will be lost.

The lead-in to this episode covers in detail the possible mindset of hate-ridden individuals during the sad events that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 13, 2017, which ended in the senseless loss of a life.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>American expat, Jason Hunter, in Southern Taiwan joins us on the podcast. As a result of his observations working in his profession, Jason is able to explain how businesses are more interconnected than ever. He points out that modern-day businesses simply can't and maybe shouldn’t do everything on their own. The reason is that international cooperations don't only benefit businesses, but also consumers in the long run.

He also demonstrates why it’s important for not only businesses to cooperate with each other, but also for nations as well. He points out that it wouldn’t be wise for national leaders to close a nation’s doors to the outside world. If nations are unable to source needed materials both abroad and into their nations, cost will rise and cross-border job opportunities will be lost.

The lead-in to this episode covers in detail the possible mindset of hate-ridden individuals during the sad events that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 13, 2017, which ended in the senseless loss of a life.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>49:58cleanopportunity,understandingsJason Hunter, an American expat in Southern Taiwan joins us on the podcast. As a result of his observations working in his profession, Jason is able to explain how businesses are more interconnected than ever. The lead-in to this episode covers the sad events that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 13, 2017.64fullJames ThomasCharlottesville (Excerpt) - 4S1F64Charlottesville (Excerpt Episode)Wed, 16 Aug 2017 19:19:00 +0000This is an excerpt of episode 64 of Four Seas One Family:

As the host of this expat focused podcasts, I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to chat with fellow expats located in different parts of the world to share their experiences of how they overcame living in different cultures that are far different from the cultures they were born in. These fellow expats have shared with me their issues with learning a local language and adapting to the culture of their host nations. The majority of the expats I’ve spoken to over the past few months felt that their overseas experiences has helped them to not only learn about other cultures and languages, but also quite a bit about themselves. Most expats learnt that by having a positive attitude and open-mind, they were able to gain access to opportunities that go far beyond a physical or financial reward. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS SHORT EXCERPT EPISODE!

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This is an excerpt of episode 64 of Four Seas One Family:

As the host of this expat focused podcasts, I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to chat with fellow expats located in different parts of the world to share their experiences of how they overcame living in different cultures that are far different from the cultures they were born in. These fellow expats have shared with me their issues with learning a local language and adapting to the culture of their host nations. The majority of the expats I’ve spoken to over the past few months felt that their overseas experiences has helped them to not only learn about other cultures and languages, but also quite a bit about themselves. Most expats learnt that by having a positive attitude and open-mind, they were able to gain access to opportunities that go far beyond a physical or financial reward. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS SHORT EXCERPT EPISODE!

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>09:47cleanhate,racism,charlottesvilleAs an American expat living abroad, I'm seeing things in my home nation that can not be ignored or simply swept under a rug and this disturbs me. It’s true that, because of my long stay overseas, I probably have become desensitized to many of the local issues my family and friends are going through back home. This may simply be one of the reasons why they feel that I am unable to comprehend the tensions they have to live with daily.trailerJames ThomasCultural Etiquette Tips - 4S1F63Cultural Etiquette TipsFri, 28 Jul 2017 17:00:00 +0000When living overseas as an expat you are sure to make cultural mistakes. However you have to take every mistake that you make as a learning experience to help you comprehend the culture you’re living in. To help ease and improve an expat overseas experience it is of the greatest importance to learn about the customs and habits of the host nation and it's local community. .

When expats interact with the local community, it’s not only an opportunity for an expat to learn about their host nation, but also an opportunity for the people within the local community to learn how to deal with people who are from outside their nation. The main objective should be to learn about cultural nuances and understand why some behaviors are welcomed and others taboo. In this episode, we share cultural etiquette tips. We walk through the pros and cons of doing certain things in a nation and how cultural habits are linked to a nation’s language and history.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>When living overseas as an expat you are sure to make cultural mistakes. However you have to take every mistake that you make as a learning experience to help you comprehend the culture you’re living in. To help ease and improve an expat overseas experience it is of the greatest importance to learn about the customs and habits of the host nation and it's local community. .

When expats interact with the local community, it’s not only an opportunity for an expat to learn about their host nation, but also an opportunity for the people within the local community to learn how to deal with people who are from outside their nation. The main objective should be to learn about cultural nuances and understand why some behaviors are welcomed and others taboo. In this episode, we share cultural etiquette tips. We walk through the pros and cons of doing certain things in a nation and how cultural habits are linked to a nation’s language and history.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>41:58cleanetiquette,culturalWhen living overseas as an expat you are sure to make cultural mistakes. However you have to take every mistake that you make as a learning experience to help you comprehend the culture you’re living in. To help ease and improve an expat overseas experience it is of the greatest importance to learn about the customs and habits of the host nation and it's local community. 63fullJames ThomasUpdate: We'll Be Right BackUpdate: We'll Be Right BackMon, 03 Jul 2017 17:01:03 +0000Just a quick checkin to let everyone know that I am still here. Sometimes he can be quite difficult arranging interview times with expats located in different parts of the world. Over the next few episodes, because of time zone differences, I will focus on interviewing expats closer to my region. Once again thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Just a quick checkin to let everyone know that I am still here. Sometimes he can be quite difficult arranging interview times with expats located in different parts of the world. Over the next few episodes, because of time zone differences, I will focus on interviewing expats closer to my region. Once again thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>04:26cleanJust a quick checkin to let everyone know that I am still here. Sometimes he can be quite difficult arranging interview times with expats located in different parts of the world. Over the next few episodes, because of time zone differences, I will focus on interviewing expats closer to my region. Once again thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family.fullJames ThomasMaking Relationships - 4S1F62Making RelationshipsFri, 16 Jun 2017 16:00:00 +0000This episode we sit down for a chat with another American expat who is also living in Asia, Mrs. Tara White. Tara has been living abroad since 2008 working as both an English teacher and a teacher trainer. Tara has experienced living in many locations in Asia. She has lived in Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, and Australia and is currently residing with her husband just outside the fast paced city of Tokyo, Japan.

The most interesting thing is she’s living her expat life as a minimalist. Tara is also the host of a popular YouTube channel where she can be found creating videos that demonstrate how everyone can simplify their life by practicing a minimalist lifestyle.

In the future, Tara plans to become a KonMari certified consultant so that she can help others create spaces and homes that spark joy.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This episode we sit down for a chat with another American expat who is also living in Asia, Mrs. Tara White. Tara has been living abroad since 2008 working as both an English teacher and a teacher trainer. Tara has experienced living in many locations in Asia. She has lived in Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, and Australia and is currently residing with her husband just outside the fast paced city of Tokyo, Japan.

The most interesting thing is she’s living her expat life as a minimalist. Tara is also the host of a popular YouTube channel where she can be found creating videos that demonstrate how everyone can simplify their life by practicing a minimalist lifestyle.

In the future, Tara plans to become a KonMari certified consultant so that she can help others create spaces and homes that spark joy.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>25:24cleanThis episode we sit down for a chat with another American expat who is also living in Asia, Mrs. Tara White. Tara has been living abroad since 2008 working as both an English teacher and a teacher trainer. Tara has experienced living in many locations in Asia. She has lived in Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, and Australia and is currently residing with her husband just outside the fast paced city of Tokyo, Japan.62fullJames ThomasDon't Rely On Living Your Life Like It Was Back Home - 4S1F61Don't Rely On Living Your Life Like It Was Back HomeThu, 08 Jun 2017 19:21:07 +0000An expat may not always agree with how things are done in their host nation and this shouldn't be a surprise. By keeping an open mind and heart a lot can be learned from an overseas experience. These experiences may not always be good but they may help an expat further understand him or her self and the other people who are also citizens of this planet.

With this in mind, expats should allow themselves to see more of the benefits of life within their host nation without prejudice. By doing so, they may discover that something like a local custom or public service is beneficial to the local population and could be implemented even in their home nation.

In this episode, we share concepts like this with American expat Marjorie Freimuth who has lived in Austria, Ireland and the Czech Republic. Marjorie, who at the time of this interview is living in Asia, has written about her overseas experiences for the Huffington Post. She shares with us some of her cross-cultural interactions along with the challenges faced while living abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>An expat may not always agree with how things are done in their host nation and this shouldn't be a surprise. By keeping an open mind and heart a lot can be learned from an overseas experience. These experiences may not always be good but they may help an expat further understand him or her self and the other people who are also citizens of this planet.

With this in mind, expats should allow themselves to see more of the benefits of life within their host nation without prejudice. By doing so, they may discover that something like a local custom or public service is beneficial to the local population and could be implemented even in their home nation.

In this episode, we share concepts like this with American expat Marjorie Freimuth who has lived in Austria, Ireland and the Czech Republic. Marjorie, who at the time of this interview is living in Asia, has written about her overseas experiences for the Huffington Post. She shares with us some of her cross-cultural interactions along with the challenges faced while living abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>25:24cleanAn expat may not always agree with how things are done in their host nation and this shouldn't be a surprise. By keeping an open mind and heart a lot can be learned from an overseas experience. These experiences may not always be good but they may help an expat further understand him or her self and the other people who are also citizens of this planet.61fullJames ThomasFinding Cultural Bridges - 4S1F60Finding Cultural BridgesSun, 28 May 2017 16:00:00 +0000James sits down for a chat with his old friend and Cortland State University alumni, Mr. Todd Friends, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Todd is currently an assistant professor at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.

Listen to how Todd is using his expat experience, along with his extensive business and management background, to impress on his students the importance of developing cross cultural exchanges and understandings at a local level. Also, Todd explains why in some places cultural understandings can turn out to be more valuable and flexible in the long term than contractual agreements, which in the end, builds lasting trust and opens the door for yet seen opportunities.

Todd happened to be coming through Taipei to set up the groundwork for a study abroad course he has developed for his students called “The Three Chinas”. This course isn’t educational tourism. This 2018 course is a live comparative business trip between Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai. This is when Todd’s students can get an early taste of an overseas business environment.

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If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>James sits down for a chat with his old friend and Cortland State University alumni, Mr. Todd Friends, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Todd is currently an assistant professor at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.

Listen to how Todd is using his expat experience, along with his extensive business and management background, to impress on his students the importance of developing cross cultural exchanges and understandings at a local level. Also, Todd explains why in some places cultural understandings can turn out to be more valuable and flexible in the long term than contractual agreements, which in the end, builds lasting trust and opens the door for yet seen opportunities.

Todd happened to be coming through Taipei to set up the groundwork for a study abroad course he has developed for his students called “The Three Chinas”. This course isn’t educational tourism. This 2018 course is a live comparative business trip between Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai. This is when Todd’s students can get an early taste of an overseas business environment.

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If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>24:30cleanJames sits down for a chat with his old friend and Cortland State University alumni, Mr. Todd Friends, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Todd is currently an assistant professor at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.60fullJames ThomasEmbrace - The Expat - Community - 4S1F59Embrace - The Expat - CommunityFri, 12 May 2017 18:00:00 +0000Our guest this episode is American expat Hallie Bradley. Hallie has been living in Seoul, Korea for over ten years and she is loving it. Hallie shares with us her very first impressions of her overseas home. Listen to how this expat from a small American town overcame language barriers and learnt to build long-lasting relationships with the local residents. Hallie also gives us a peek into how she met her Korean husband and how they are today raising a young daughter. Hallie is doing all of this while running a popular website that showcases events in and around Seoul. So join us and hear why this energetic expat believes, above all, in the power of communication.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Our guest this episode is American expat Hallie Bradley. Hallie has been living in Seoul, Korea for over ten years and she is loving it. Hallie shares with us her very first impressions of her overseas home. Listen to how this expat from a small American town overcame language barriers and learnt to build long-lasting relationships with the local residents. Hallie also gives us a peek into how she met her Korean husband and how they are today raising a young daughter. Hallie is doing all of this while running a popular website that showcases events in and around Seoul. So join us and hear why this energetic expat believes, above all, in the power of communication.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>41:41cleanOur guest this episode is American expat Hallie Bradley. Hallie has been living in Seoul, Korea for over ten years and she is loving it. Hallie shares with us her very first impressions of her overseas home. 59fullJames ThomasYou Have to Make an Effort - 4S1F58You Have to Make an EffortWed, 03 May 2017 17:00:00 +0000Mike Wester is a 17-year American expat resident of Beijing and a veteran of five years of expatriate living in Taipei as well. In 2001 he co-founded True Run Media, which provides information and services to the internationally-minded communities in China’s largest cities. TRM operates three brands – the Beijinger and beijingkids (English) and JingKids (Chinese), producing print and digital media as well as large-scale live events for each.

• the Beijinger (thebeijinger.com) is the capital's top international English language information resource. Featuring the best in the city's dining, nightlife, style, arts and culture, it is a must-read city and lifestyle platform for locals and expatriates alike.

• beijingkids (beijing-kids.com) is the most comprehensive English-language family resource for international English-speaking families in Beijing.

• JingKids (jingkids.com) is a community-based, niche-market, multiplatform information resource for affluent parents seeking international schooling and lifestyle for their children with entirely independent editions produced in Beijing and in Shanghai.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Mike Wester is a 17-year American expat resident of Beijing and a veteran of five years of expatriate living in Taipei as well. In 2001 he co-founded True Run Media, which provides information and services to the internationally-minded communities in China’s largest cities. TRM operates three brands – the Beijinger and beijingkids (English) and JingKids (Chinese), producing print and digital media as well as large-scale live events for each.

• the Beijinger (thebeijinger.com) is the capital's top international English language information resource. Featuring the best in the city's dining, nightlife, style, arts and culture, it is a must-read city and lifestyle platform for locals and expatriates alike.

• beijingkids (beijing-kids.com) is the most comprehensive English-language family resource for international English-speaking families in Beijing.

• JingKids (jingkids.com) is a community-based, niche-market, multiplatform information resource for affluent parents seeking international schooling and lifestyle for their children with entirely independent editions produced in Beijing and in Shanghai.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>29:46cleanMike Wester is a 17-year American expat resident of Beijing and a veteran of five years of expatriate living in Taipei as well. In 2001 he co-founded True Run Media, which provides information and services to the internationally-minded communities in China’s largest cities. TRM operates three brands – the Beijinger and beijingkids (English) and JingKids (Chinese), producing print and digital media as well as large-scale live events for each.58fullJames ThomasRespectfully Not Caring What People Say - 4S1F57Respectfully Not Caring What People SayThu, 27 Apr 2017 22:30:00 +0000Everyone living outside his or her home nation as a story to tell that explains why they made the choice to travel and then live abroad. In today’s episode we have a guest that fits this description without exception. Currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Anthony Rigogliosi shares with us what brought him to the realization of why he had to change is life situation in his home nation and move abroad.

(06:20 mins.) "Someone that doesn't have much can give so much. much."

(8:35 mins.):"Living in my car taught me the simplicities of life."

(09:35 mins.) "The Four Hour Work Week"

(13:20 mins.) "You meet the right person when you are doing the right thing."

(22:03 mins.) "Real people here."

(23:00 mins.) "Gratitude. You can't teach it."

(00:00 mins.) "Don't do the things you hate."

(25:35 mins.) "Stop doing the things you don't like and spend time doing the things you do like."

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Everyone living outside his or her home nation as a story to tell that explains why they made the choice to travel and then live abroad. In today’s episode we have a guest that fits this description without exception. Currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Anthony Rigogliosi shares with us what brought him to the realization of why he had to change is life situation in his home nation and move abroad.

(06:20 mins.) "Someone that doesn't have much can give so much. much."

(8:35 mins.):"Living in my car taught me the simplicities of life."

(09:35 mins.) "The Four Hour Work Week"

(13:20 mins.) "You meet the right person when you are doing the right thing."

(22:03 mins.) "Real people here."

(23:00 mins.) "Gratitude. You can't teach it."

(00:00 mins.) "Don't do the things you hate."

(25:35 mins.) "Stop doing the things you don't like and spend time doing the things you do like."

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>34:44cleanEveryone living outside his or her home nation as a story to tell that explains why they made the choice to travel and then live abroad. In today’s episode we have a guest that fits this description without exception. Currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Anthony Rigogliosi shares with us what brought him to the realization of why he had to change is life situation in his home nation and move abroad57fullJames ThomasApril 2017 TER AnnouncementApril 2017 TER AnnouncementSun, 02 Apr 2017 18:00:00 +0000From overseas, expats can offer unique perspectives that may not be easily observed by international media outlets.

With all the cultural and political uprising taking place in the world today, now is the time for expats, who have had the opportunity to interact and live amongst different cultures, to make their points of views heard and work to breakdown cultural misunderstandings that have developed through suspicions, hate and fear.

James Thomas, the host of Four Seas One Family, is working with other like-minded expats located in different parts of the world to create a podcast program for expats to hold live online discussions about both local and global events that may directly or indirectly influence their home nation or the nation they currently reside in. The podcast will be called "The Expats Roundtable".

1. Members are to be expats who currently live abroad or “former expats” who have returned to their ”home country(ies)“ but have lived “long-term” overseas before.

2. In the beginning, membership will be built from introductions from current expat members. The more expats taking part, the more information that could be created and exchanged. This would offer a lot of value.

3. Roundtables “should” be held every two weeks on-line via Youtube’s Google+ Hangouts at pre-arranged times. It is hoped that in the future selected expat members can assist in hosting online discussions from expats located in different time zones at pre-arranged times. Each roundtable should have a topic that is chosen by members or a recent trend or event that affects expats domestically or abroad. Let’s use a very informal topic selection process. In fact, more than one topic may be covered at once in a roundtable.

4. No member is required to take part in any ”certain number“ of roundtables to be considered a member. However, it is hoped that participation becomes strong and lasting.

5. In order to help assist in keeping discussions opened and balanced, non-expats maybe allowed to be invited to, and take part in, on-line and off-line discussions.

6. ”The Expats Roundtable group could help drive some interest to members personal or business related websites while, at the same time, keeping the branding of a member’s main website(s) separated from "The Expats Roundtable group.

7. Discussion topics, times and dates will be coordinated via email and online polling.

MEMBERSHIP RELATED

1. Members should be current or former expats who write a blog post or produce a podcast episode at least once a month.

2. A “former expat” is defined as someone who has lived abroad for at least two years. Exceptions maybe allowed.

3. Membered expats are requested to assist in promoting "The Expats Roundtable in some way and, if they like, promo other member’s blogs or podcasts as well. It is hoped that the cross promotions will raise awareness of content created and produced by members who may specialize in a niche that other listeners maybe interested in.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>From overseas, expats can offer unique perspectives that may not be easily observed by international media outlets.

With all the cultural and political uprising taking place in the world today, now is the time for expats, who have had the opportunity to interact and live amongst different cultures, to make their points of views heard and work to breakdown cultural misunderstandings that have developed through suspicions, hate and fear.

James Thomas, the host of Four Seas One Family, is working with other like-minded expats located in different parts of the world to create a podcast program for expats to hold live online discussions about both local and global events that may directly or indirectly influence their home nation or the nation they currently reside in. The podcast will be called "The Expats Roundtable".

1. Members are to be expats who currently live abroad or “former expats” who have returned to their ”home country(ies)“ but have lived “long-term” overseas before.

2. In the beginning, membership will be built from introductions from current expat members. The more expats taking part, the more information that could be created and exchanged. This would offer a lot of value.

3. Roundtables “should” be held every two weeks on-line via Youtube’s Google+ Hangouts at pre-arranged times. It is hoped that in the future selected expat members can assist in hosting online discussions from expats located in different time zones at pre-arranged times. Each roundtable should have a topic that is chosen by members or a recent trend or event that affects expats domestically or abroad. Let’s use a very informal topic selection process. In fact, more than one topic may be covered at once in a roundtable.

4. No member is required to take part in any ”certain number“ of roundtables to be considered a member. However, it is hoped that participation becomes strong and lasting.

5. In order to help assist in keeping discussions opened and balanced, non-expats maybe allowed to be invited to, and take part in, on-line and off-line discussions.

6. ”The Expats Roundtable group could help drive some interest to members personal or business related websites while, at the same time, keeping the branding of a member’s main website(s) separated from "The Expats Roundtable group.

7. Discussion topics, times and dates will be coordinated via email and online polling.

MEMBERSHIP RELATED

1. Members should be current or former expats who write a blog post or produce a podcast episode at least once a month.

2. A “former expat” is defined as someone who has lived abroad for at least two years. Exceptions maybe allowed.

3. Membered expats are requested to assist in promoting "The Expats Roundtable in some way and, if they like, promo other member’s blogs or podcasts as well. It is hoped that the cross promotions will raise awareness of content created and produced by members who may specialize in a niche that other listeners maybe interested in.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>07:29cleanWith all the cultural and political uprising taking place in the world today, now is the time for expats, who have had the opportunity to interact and live amongst different cultures, to make their points of views heard and work to breakdown cultural misunderstandings that have developed through suspicions, hate and fear.fullJames ThomasBarbarian At The Gate - 4S1F56Barbarian At The GateSat, 25 Mar 2017 19:30:00 +0000There are a few expats who have totally immersed themselves in the culture and lifestyle of their host nation. They later discover that their relationship with their adopted home has become strong and, in some cases, inseparable. Because of this type of unexplainable connection, a few expats have made the decision to give up the passport of their nation of birth to become a citizen of the nation of their adopted home. This transformation for many isn’t an easy one and, in some cases, irreversible.

In this episode, James sits down for a chat with TC Lin. TC was born in the United States and decided to go to Taiwan to study Mandarin Chinese in college. TC later found himself in a place that helped him find out more about himself. He shares his tribulations and walks us through what went through his mind after making the decision to give up his U. S. passport to become a citizen of a land so different from his upbringing.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>There are a few expats who have totally immersed themselves in the culture and lifestyle of their host nation. They later discover that their relationship with their adopted home has become strong and, in some cases, inseparable. Because of this type of unexplainable connection, a few expats have made the decision to give up the passport of their nation of birth to become a citizen of the nation of their adopted home. This transformation for many isn’t an easy one and, in some cases, irreversible.

In this episode, James sits down for a chat with TC Lin. TC was born in the United States and decided to go to Taiwan to study Mandarin Chinese in college. TC later found himself in a place that helped him find out more about himself. He shares his tribulations and walks us through what went through his mind after making the decision to give up his U. S. passport to become a citizen of a land so different from his upbringing.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>48:32cleanThere are a few expats who have totally immersed themselves in the culture and lifestyle of their host nation. They later discover that their relationship with their adopted home has become strong and, in some cases, inseparable. Because of this type of unexplainable connection, a few expats have made the decision to give up the passport of their nation of birth to become a citizen of the nation of their adopted home. This transformation for many isn’t an easy one and, in some cases, irreversible.56fullJames ThomasBe Prepared To See A Side Of Yourself You've Never Seen Before - 4S1F55Be Prepared To See A Side Of Yourself You've Never Seen BeforeWed, 08 Mar 2017 21:30:00 +0000It is often hard or almost impossible to predict where your life journey may ultimately take you. An expat’s journey leads to different pathways for self-discovery. My guest this episode is American expat Carlo JaMelle. He proves in a unique way that it is very possible to become an accidental expat and, in the end, enjoy and learn from the path taken.

Carlo talks about how he ended up going to Taiwan after graduating from college. Without any in-depth knowledge of his future overseas home, he shares how he learned the skill of cultural adaptation and assimilation.

It isn’t hard to see that Carlo, as an African-American expat who has chosen to educate himself about his overseas environment, is using his cultural adaptation skills to communicate with people across cultural boundaries. He has placed himself in a position of tearing down walls of cultural misunderstandings when others back in his home nation are building walls up.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It is often hard or almost impossible to predict where your life journey may ultimately take you. An expat’s journey leads to different pathways for self-discovery. My guest this episode is American expat Carlo JaMelle. He proves in a unique way that it is very possible to become an accidental expat and, in the end, enjoy and learn from the path taken.

Carlo talks about how he ended up going to Taiwan after graduating from college. Without any in-depth knowledge of his future overseas home, he shares how he learned the skill of cultural adaptation and assimilation.

It isn’t hard to see that Carlo, as an African-American expat who has chosen to educate himself about his overseas environment, is using his cultural adaptation skills to communicate with people across cultural boundaries. He has placed himself in a position of tearing down walls of cultural misunderstandings when others back in his home nation are building walls up.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>32:24cleanadaptIt is often hard or almost impossible to predict where your life journey may ultimately take you. An expat’s journey leads to different pathways for self-discovery. My guest this episode is American expat Carlo JaMelle. He proves in a unique way that it is very possible to become an accidental expat and, in the end, enjoy and learn from the path taken.55fullJames ThomasThe Black Sheep TCK - 4S1F54The Black Sheep TCKMon, 20 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000We sit down for chat with a 24 year old American TCK (Third Culture Kid), Mr. Brandon O’Neal. Brandon takes us for walk in his TCK world and allows us to have a peek inside his sphere of growing up as an African American third culture kid in Taiwan. He shares amusing stories of becoming part of the local Taiwanese community as well as the struggles he faced while being educated in local Taiwanese schools.

Brandon points out the importance of learning about the culture you are living in and developing the needed language skills and cultural awareness to further enforce better relationships within your local overseas community.

Always zany, upbeat and optimistic, Brandon shows how his experiences of being the “odd one” strengthened his determination to achieve his goals and the way he currently sees the world and his future.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>We sit down for chat with a 24 year old American TCK (Third Culture Kid), Mr. Brandon O’Neal. Brandon takes us for walk in his TCK world and allows us to have a peek inside his sphere of growing up as an African American third culture kid in Taiwan. He shares amusing stories of becoming part of the local Taiwanese community as well as the struggles he faced while being educated in local Taiwanese schools.

Brandon points out the importance of learning about the culture you are living in and developing the needed language skills and cultural awareness to further enforce better relationships within your local overseas community.

Always zany, upbeat and optimistic, Brandon shows how his experiences of being the “odd one” strengthened his determination to achieve his goals and the way he currently sees the world and his future.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>24:20cleanWe sit down for chat with a 24 year old American TCK (Third Culture Kid), Mr. Brandon O’Neal. Brandon takes us for walk in his TCK world and allows us to have a peek inside his sphere of growing up as an African American third culture kid in Taiwan. He shares amusing stories of becoming part of the local Taiwanese community as well as the struggles he faced while being educated in local Taiwanese schools.54fullJames ThomasDon't Belong Anywhere, But Comfortable Everywhere - 4S1F53Don't Belong Anywhere, But Comfortable EverywhereThu, 16 Feb 2017 17:00:00 +0000It is quite common for expat women traveling abroad, and especially raising a family, to feel lost and lose a sense of purpose. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in an unfamiliar overseas environment. I’m lucky this episode to chat with Ms. Rita Golstein-Galperin a career makeover strategists who focuses on helping expat women abroad find or recalibrate a their life direction.

Rita works with women all over the world and offers an online service that helps women focus and stay targeted on their life goals while overseas. She has developed online coaching materials to help women realize that their overseas lives can be made relevant to the goals and dreams they want to achieve. Rita is also the author of the book "Grow Abroad (Gift of Reinventing and Owning your Worth)". This book is the quintessential guide for expat women looking to get beyond their "Zombie Mode" of existence.

Rita says it better in her own words:

From Rita's Expat Renaissance Website

I’m a Career Makeover Strategist® for expat women and the founder of Expat Renaissance.

A somewhat serial expat from childhood, I’m now a multicultural mom in Paris and a passionate lover of all chocolate:) More to the point though, I’m a former serial career sifter: a lawyer, economist, tutor, public policy analyst and a senior diplomat….

The question of “what do I want to do when I grow up?” hunted me for years. I read every book, attended every workshop and bought every program out there to try and figure it out…

Till it hit me: there is NO right or wrong answers, it’s just the journey. And so, after training as a coach, I’ve decided I don’t want to grow up and I don’t want to put my dream on hold… this is my time to thrive. I since helped hundreds of women around the world redefine and reinvent their success abroad.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you are a female expat who is searching for a way to refocus on a goal, Rita’s awesome online service may be the guiding light that can help you remap and rediscover your life while abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It is quite common for expat women traveling abroad, and especially raising a family, to feel lost and lose a sense of purpose. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in an unfamiliar overseas environment. I’m lucky this episode to chat with Ms. Rita Golstein-Galperin a career makeover strategists who focuses on helping expat women abroad find or recalibrate a their life direction.

Rita works with women all over the world and offers an online service that helps women focus and stay targeted on their life goals while overseas. She has developed online coaching materials to help women realize that their overseas lives can be made relevant to the goals and dreams they want to achieve. Rita is also the author of the book "Grow Abroad (Gift of Reinventing and Owning your Worth)". This book is the quintessential guide for expat women looking to get beyond their "Zombie Mode" of existence.

Rita says it better in her own words:

From Rita's Expat Renaissance Website

I’m a Career Makeover Strategist® for expat women and the founder of Expat Renaissance.

A somewhat serial expat from childhood, I’m now a multicultural mom in Paris and a passionate lover of all chocolate:) More to the point though, I’m a former serial career sifter: a lawyer, economist, tutor, public policy analyst and a senior diplomat….

The question of “what do I want to do when I grow up?” hunted me for years. I read every book, attended every workshop and bought every program out there to try and figure it out…

Till it hit me: there is NO right or wrong answers, it’s just the journey. And so, after training as a coach, I’ve decided I don’t want to grow up and I don’t want to put my dream on hold… this is my time to thrive. I since helped hundreds of women around the world redefine and reinvent their success abroad.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you are a female expat who is searching for a way to refocus on a goal, Rita’s awesome online service may be the guiding light that can help you remap and rediscover your life while abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>25:55cleanIt is quite common for expat women traveling abroad, and especially raising a family, to feel lost and lose a sense of purpose. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in an unfamiliar overseas environment. I’m lucky this episode to chat with Ms. Rita Golstein-Galperin a career makeover strategists who focuses on helping expat women abroad find or recalibrate a their life direction.53fullJames ThomasCommentary January 2017Commentary January 2017Sat, 28 Jan 2017 16:00:00 +0000I started this website and podcast, Four Seas One Family, to explain some of my personal insights to family members and friends back home about life overseas. I also wanted to expand the podcast to where people could easily observe that we have a lot more in common than we think. In this format, people would be able to listen in on examples that prove that we are fundamentally the same regardless of skin color, religion, politics or other beliefs. We all have basic concerns that include security, welfare, health, happiness, comfort and prosperity.

I also wanted to showcase examples of how expats, who maybe living and working inside nations that are very unlike their own, interact with the people of their host nation and how they were able to have open and objective dialogue (with the local people). In the end, these interactions assisted in building or regaining mutual respect.

We live in a world where we are more interconnected than ever. Nations are less limited by their physical boundaries. They are only limited by the amount of creative freedoms and ambitions their people are allowed to possess and display. Today’s innovative advancements are the direct results of the globalization of shared knowledge among people from different backgrounds, nations and cultures. Many live under different political regimes and are of different lifestyles and religious beliefs. This type of open exchange has allowed mankind to expand its knowledge exponentially.

Unfortunately today, even in developed democratic nations, we are finding people who are willing to isolate themselves, sometimes by any means necessary, from people who they perceive as dangerous outsiders. They fear that these so-called “outsiders” have taken away and are destroying their livelihood. People harboring beliefs like this look to employ or elect representatives that they feel would uphold these types of beliefs at a national level in the hope of gaining some social, political and economic protections.

Today, the question people in these nations need to ask themselves is, how far are they willing to allow their need of protection from people who they view as dangerous outsiders to go? Would these people encourage and allow their elected representatives to expel, mass-incarcerate or otherwise vastly impede on the civil rights of the people they “fear”? Is this the world we want to live in today?

When we give ourselves the opportunity to embrace and interact with people from other cultures, we actually change our mindset which allows us to know even more about ourselves and, at the same time, what other people are really like regardless of the seas, rivers and WALLS that may be separating us.

When people of different nations are deprived or blocked from accessing the tools needed to learn more about people who aren’t like them, distrust deepens, hardens and becomes more even more internally engraved within their culture at all levels.

Over the past, up to now 50+ podcast episodes, I have come to the belief that the platform I created really isn’t just only for people who are or may only be thinking about living abroad. The podcast has turned into a cultural portal where listeners can observe life overseas and learn more about cross-cultural communications and interactions.

Let’s face it, most of the fears people from different nations have against people who aren’t like them come from sources that have the simple goal of keeping us separated and ignorant of each other. This type of underlining agenda and motive isn’t beneficial for developing or fostering cross cultural communications and exchanges. I am working to make the website and podcast a gateway that can help lower some of the fears, insecurities and apprehensions people from different cultures and nations may have towards one another.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>I started this website and podcast, Four Seas One Family, to explain some of my personal insights to family members and friends back home about life overseas. I also wanted to expand the podcast to where people could easily observe that we have a lot more in common than we think. In this format, people would be able to listen in on examples that prove that we are fundamentally the same regardless of skin color, religion, politics or other beliefs. We all have basic concerns that include security, welfare, health, happiness, comfort and prosperity.

I also wanted to showcase examples of how expats, who maybe living and working inside nations that are very unlike their own, interact with the people of their host nation and how they were able to have open and objective dialogue (with the local people). In the end, these interactions assisted in building or regaining mutual respect.

We live in a world where we are more interconnected than ever. Nations are less limited by their physical boundaries. They are only limited by the amount of creative freedoms and ambitions their people are allowed to possess and display. Today’s innovative advancements are the direct results of the globalization of shared knowledge among people from different backgrounds, nations and cultures. Many live under different political regimes and are of different lifestyles and religious beliefs. This type of open exchange has allowed mankind to expand its knowledge exponentially.

Unfortunately today, even in developed democratic nations, we are finding people who are willing to isolate themselves, sometimes by any means necessary, from people who they perceive as dangerous outsiders. They fear that these so-called “outsiders” have taken away and are destroying their livelihood. People harboring beliefs like this look to employ or elect representatives that they feel would uphold these types of beliefs at a national level in the hope of gaining some social, political and economic protections.

Today, the question people in these nations need to ask themselves is, how far are they willing to allow their need of protection from people who they view as dangerous outsiders to go? Would these people encourage and allow their elected representatives to expel, mass-incarcerate or otherwise vastly impede on the civil rights of the people they “fear”? Is this the world we want to live in today?

When we give ourselves the opportunity to embrace and interact with people from other cultures, we actually change our mindset which allows us to know even more about ourselves and, at the same time, what other people are really like regardless of the seas, rivers and WALLS that may be separating us.

When people of different nations are deprived or blocked from accessing the tools needed to learn more about people who aren’t like them, distrust deepens, hardens and becomes more even more internally engraved within their culture at all levels.

Over the past, up to now 50+ podcast episodes, I have come to the belief that the platform I created really isn’t just only for people who are or may only be thinking about living abroad. The podcast has turned into a cultural portal where listeners can observe life overseas and learn more about cross-cultural communications and interactions.

Let’s face it, most of the fears people from different nations have against people who aren’t like them come from sources that have the simple goal of keeping us separated and ignorant of each other. This type of underlining agenda and motive isn’t beneficial for developing or fostering cross cultural communications and exchanges. I am working to make the website and podcast a gateway that can help lower some of the fears, insecurities and apprehensions people from different cultures and nations may have towards one another.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>09:39cleancommentaryI started this website and podcast, Four Seas One Family, to explain some of my personal insights to family members and friends back home about life overseas. I also wanted to expand the podcast to where people could easily observe that we have a lot more in common than we think.bonusJames ThomasDon't Let The First Three Months Dictate Your Experience - 4S1F52Don't Let The First Three Months Dictate Your ExperienceWed, 25 Jan 2017 16:00:00 +0000Living as an expat can sometimes be like riding a rollercoaster in a thunderstorm. Sometimes things appear like they are going for a positive up swing an sometimes the swing runs out of inertia and head straight to the bottom. The same thing can be said for life in one’s home nation. However, riding the cultural wave as an expat takes a very different approach to facing fears, filtering doubts and finding of positive conclusion.

Our guest this episode is Ms. Jasliyn Albert. Jasliyn is an American expat living in Ufa, Russia. Hear how this expat’s experience helped her to become stronger after facing issue after issue in a location over an hour flight outside of Moscow. Hear how Jasliyn managed to overcome her shyness that allowed her to face doubts when being confronted at her job as an English language instructor.

I am an American expat living in Russia. When I’m not teaching English or trying to master the Russian language I am taking photos of old buildings, graffiti, or abandoned places. Want to know more? Read about it here. You can follow along with my book list here. If you still want more you can follow my bucketlink.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Living as an expat can sometimes be like riding a rollercoaster in a thunderstorm. Sometimes things appear like they are going for a positive up swing an sometimes the swing runs out of inertia and head straight to the bottom. The same thing can be said for life in one’s home nation. However, riding the cultural wave as an expat takes a very different approach to facing fears, filtering doubts and finding of positive conclusion.

Our guest this episode is Ms. Jasliyn Albert. Jasliyn is an American expat living in Ufa, Russia. Hear how this expat’s experience helped her to become stronger after facing issue after issue in a location over an hour flight outside of Moscow. Hear how Jasliyn managed to overcome her shyness that allowed her to face doubts when being confronted at her job as an English language instructor.

I am an American expat living in Russia. When I’m not teaching English or trying to master the Russian language I am taking photos of old buildings, graffiti, or abandoned places. Want to know more? Read about it here. You can follow along with my book list here. If you still want more you can follow my bucket link.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>29:53cleanLiving as an expat can sometimes be like riding a rollercoaster in a thunderstorm. Sometimes things appear like they are going for a positive up swing an sometimes the swing runs out of inertia and head straight to the bottom. The same thing can be said for life in one’s home nation. However, riding the cultural wave as an expat takes a very different approach to facing fears, filtering doubts and finding of positive conclusion.52fullJames ThomasAbout Russia Without the BS - 4S1F51About Russia Without the BSThu, 19 Jan 2017 22:00:00 +0000In this episode, American expat Jim Kovpak joins us from Moscow, Russia. Jim has been living in Moscow for over ten years and goes into how he became attracted to Russia at an early age.

Today Jim is a very active expat journalist who has covered stories for many international news agencies. While living and working in Russia, Jim and a friend noticed the false reality presented in the media about Russia and the lives of its people. Because of this, Jim and his friend created the website Russia Without BS. His blog centers on what Russia is really like without bias media opinions. His blog has a faithful following of readers who are well versed in Russian history and culture.

In this interview, Jim not only explains what is behind some of the misalignments in Russian reporting, but also goes into some of the reasons why many media pundits in the West have developed an unrealistic view of Russia and its diverse people.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode, American expat Jim Kovpak joins us from Moscow, Russia. Jim has been living in Moscow for over ten years and goes into how he became attracted to Russia at an early age.

Today Jim is a very active expat journalist who has covered stories for many international news agencies. While living and working in Russia, Jim and a friend noticed the false reality presented in the media about Russia and the lives of its people. Because of this, Jim and his friend created the website Russia Without BS. His blog centers on what Russia is really like without bias media opinions. His blog has a faithful following of readers who are well versed in Russian history and culture.

In this interview, Jim not only explains what is behind some of the misalignments in Russian reporting, but also goes into some of the reasons why many media pundits in the West have developed an unrealistic view of Russia and its diverse people.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>01:02:18cleanAmerican expat Jim Kovpak joins us from Moscow, Russia. Jim has been living in Moscow for over ten years and goes into how he became attracted to Russia at an early age. Jim is a very active expat journalist who has covered stories for many international news agencies. While living and working in Russia, Jim and a friend noticed the false reality presented in the media about Russia and the lives of its people.51fullJames ThomasExpat Visits: Resetting Relationships - 4S1F50Expat Visits: Resetting RelationshipsMon, 02 Jan 2017 18:30:00 +0000People choose to go and live overseas for many different reasons. In the beginning, some people may have gone overseas to further their education, search for financial opportunities, seek romance or to simply search for adventure. The desire to travel overseas can come from variety of different sources. The desire to travel abroad may come from someone we admire, a book we may have read or even a movie we may have seen. So as you see, the reasons are countless and sometimes can be left to the imagination. For some, the search for something missing in their current lives maybe the reason they look and travel abroad.

In this episode, I would like to talk about the times when an expat returns to their home nation for short visits; like for a vacation or for attending a family event like a wedding or funeral. We are not talking about repatriation, which is when a person returns, more or less, permanently to the nation of their citizenship.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>People choose to go and live overseas for many different reasons. In the beginning, some people may have gone overseas to further their education, search for financial opportunities, seek romance or to simply search for adventure. The desire to travel overseas can come from variety of different sources. The desire to travel abroad may come from someone we admire, a book we may have read or even a movie we may have seen. So as you see, the reasons are countless and sometimes can be left to the imagination. For some, the search for something missing in their current lives maybe the reason they look and travel abroad.

In this episode, I would like to talk about the times when an expat returns to their home nation for short visits; like for a vacation or for attending a family event like a wedding or funeral. We are not talking about repatriation, which is when a person returns, more or less, permanently to the nation of their citizenship.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>14:41cleanPeople choose to go and live overseas for many different reasons. In the beginning, some people may have gone overseas to further their education, search for financial opportunities, seek romance or to simply search for adventure. The desire to travel overseas can come from variety of different sources. The desire to travel abroad may come from someone we admire, a book we may have read or even a movie we may have seen.50fullJames ThomasDoes an Expat Have The Right to Take Part In Local Protests? - 4S1F49Does an Expat Have The Right to Take Part In Local Protests?Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:00:00 +0000An expat may never be fully intergraded or accepted into all parts of a host nation. There will always be a far side of a host nation that an expat may never be allowed to reach and this is something that may just have to be accepted. The reasons for this may frankly be the way an expat converses with citizens, habits displayed or simply the way a particular expat looks.

Local citizens aren’t under any obligation to completely accept an expat as one of their own. The only thing an expat can do, as a human being, is to strengthen the personal relationships he or she has built within their host nation.

Many national constitutions make it a clear point that in legal disputes between a foreign national and a citizen of their nation, any decision made must place their citizen’s rights as having priority over foreign national’s at all levels in any litigation.

Sovereign nations retain the right to expel any foreign national deemed as disrupting the political affairs of their country. Expats taking part in local civil disobedience within a host nation is a sensitive issue. If expats do take it upon themselves to take part in protests or civil actions in their residing nation, they must be fully aware and understand the consequences of their actions.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>An expat may never be fully intergraded or accepted into all parts of a host nation. There will always be a far side of a host nation that an expat may never be allowed to reach and this is something that may just have to be accepted. The reasons for this may frankly be the way an expat converses with citizens, habits displayed or simply the way a particular expat looks.

Local citizens aren’t under any obligation to completely accept an expat as one of their own. The only thing an expat can do, as a human being, is to strengthen the personal relationships he or she has built within their host nation.

Many national constitutions make it a clear point that in legal disputes between a foreign national and a citizen of their nation, any decision made must place their citizen’s rights as having priority over foreign national’s at all levels in any litigation.

Sovereign nations retain the right to expel any foreign national deemed as disrupting the political affairs of their country. Expats taking part in local civil disobedience within a host nation is a sensitive issue. If expats do take it upon themselves to take part in protests or civil actions in their residing nation, they must be fully aware and understand the consequences of their actions.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>25:01cleanAn expat may never be fully intergraded or accepted into all parts of a host nation. There will always be a far side of a host nation that an expat may never be allowed to reach and this is something that may just have to be accepted. The reasons for this may frankly be the way an expat converses with citizens, habits displayed or simply the way a particular expat looks.49fullJames ThomasExpat Mom From The City of Lights Raising Children Abroad - 4S1F48Expat Mom From The City of Lights Raising Children AbroadSun, 04 Dec 2016 11:57:51 +0000In this episode we are having a wonderful chat with Pakistani expat Shehar Bano Rizvi (A name that James easily mispronounces.) who, at the time of this interview, has been living in Doha, Qatar for 13 years. Shehar is raising three children in her adopted home and shares how her little ones are adapting to a life that is constantly being in a mix of different languages, faces and cultures. Learn why Shehar sees this fact as a strong asset to her children’s personal development. She goes into why she decided to not return to her high paced job in Doha to stay at home with her little ones. Also, hear how she and her husband are keeping their three young children connected with the culture and language of their home nation.

Shehar wasn’t always upbeat about her life in Qatar after spending most of her life in Karachi, Pakistan, also known as the City of Lights, until the age of 13. Listen to how, after coming to Qatar as a Certified Project Management Professional, homesickness crawled into her life. Take a peek at how she worked her way into and integrated into her overseas environment. Hear how she uses her extensive blog postings to express life as an expat mother raising young children.

(00:00 mins.) "Unless the she learns to speak the language, we are not.... "

(24:44 mins.) "Ask daddy."

(28:43mins.) "Why aren't celebrating Christmas? "

(31:25 mins.)"..but deep down they're all her friends."

(37:30 mins.) "Having that ability to adapt is the key to living abroad."

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode we are having a wonderful chat with Pakistani expat Shehar Bano Rizvi (A name that James easily mispronounces.) who, at the time of this interview, has been living in Doha, Qatar for 13 years. Shehar is raising three children in her adopted home and shares how her little ones are adapting to a life that is constantly being in a mix of different languages, faces and cultures. Learn why Shehar sees this fact as a strong asset to her children’s personal development. She goes into why she decided to not return to her high paced job in Doha to stay at home with her little ones. Also, hear how she and her husband are keeping their three young children connected with the culture and language of their home nation.

Shehar wasn’t always upbeat about her life in Qatar after spending most of her life in Karachi, Pakistan, also known as the City of Lights, until the age of 13. Listen to how, after coming to Qatar as a Certified Project Management Professional, homesickness crawled into her life. Take a peek at how she worked her way into and integrated into her overseas environment. Hear how she uses her extensive blog postings to express life as an expat mother raising young children.

(00:00 mins.) "Unless the she learns to speak the language, we are not.... "

(24:44 mins.) "Ask daddy."

(28:43mins.) "Why aren't celebrating Christmas? "

(31:25 mins.)"..but deep down they're all her friends."

(37:30 mins.) "Having that ability to adapt is the key to living abroad."

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>49:33cleanIn this episode we are having a wonderful chat with Pakistani expat Shehar Bano Rizvi (A name that James easily mispronounces.) who, at the time of this interview, has been living in Doha, Qatar for 13 years. Shehar is raising three children in her adopted home and shares how her little ones are adapting to a life that is constantly being in a mix of different languages, faces and cultures. Learn why Shehar sees this fact as a strong asset to her children’s personal development. 48fullJames ThomasYou Regret The Things That You Don't Do More Than The Things That You Do - 4S1F47You Regret The Things That You Don't Do More Than The Things That You DoSun, 20 Nov 2016 16:00:00 +0000In this episode, we chat in the Marilyn Monroe suite with Angela Carson. Angela is an American expat from Southern California who has travelled all over the globe to over 33 different countries looking for adventure (I said "adventure" not trouble! [smile]). Angela has not only managed to travel the world and commit to an exciting career as an accomplished travel blogger (Boy! Am I jealous! [wink!]), but also raise, as a single parent I may add, a wonderful daughter. Find out what Angela's daughter considers the best thing that has ever happened to her. What is it that she discovered? What is it that she learnt?

Listen to how Angela got the travel bug at an early age and avoided many obstacles along the way. She explains further how she took some terrible ideals and made the best of the experience.

Find out why I call Angela the female "Rambo"!

Memorable Quotes:

(04:52 mins.) "I was attacked by bandits on a mountain road."

(07:02 mins.) "You regret the things that you don't do more than the things that you do."

(08:30 mins.) "That's not really how I work"

(12:22 mins.) "Oh yeah, I really don't roll that way"

(15:10 mins.) "I had shoulder pads and everything...purple leggings."

(16:35 mins.) "We sat down on the sofa. We open up Google Maps and I said "Okay, where do we want to live?"

(27:50 mins.) "Sounds stupid want to say it out loud sometimes, but because he was such a jackxxs..."

(31:12 mins.) "We went from being in Barcelona...where we cared about labels... we cared about being cool, looking pretty, all those thingsto moving to India and... where you had to cover up."

(32:10 mins.) "When she was leaving...Peace of mind on her back shoulder."

(32:52 mins.) "Really? ...and she said "It's the best thing that eever happened to me."

(36:37 mins.) "There is so much to learn about the world and ourselves by stepping outside our doors."

(38:00 mins.) "If you're happy first as a parent, as a woman or man, then you'll bring happiness to your children."

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode, we chat in the Marilyn Monroe suite with Angela Carson. Angela is an American expat from Southern California who has travelled all over the globe to over 33 different countries looking for adventure (I said "adventure" not trouble! [smile]). Angela has not only managed to travel the world and commit to an exciting career as an accomplished travel blogger (Boy! Am I jealous! [wink!]), but also raise, as a single parent I may add, a wonderful daughter. Find out what Angela's daughter considers the best thing that has ever happened to her. What is it that she discovered? What is it that she learnt?

Listen to how Angela got the travel bug at an early age and avoided many obstacles along the way. She explains further how she took some terrible ideals and made the best of the experience.

Find out why I call Angela the female "Rambo"!

Memorable Quotes:

(04:52 mins.) "I was attacked by bandits on a mountain road."

(07:02 mins.) "You regret the things that you don't do more than the things that you do."

(08:30 mins.) "That's not really how I work"

(12:22 mins.) "Oh yeah, I really don't roll that way"

(15:10 mins.) "I had shoulder pads and everything...purple leggings."

(16:35 mins.) "We sat down on the sofa. We open up Google Maps and I said "Okay, where do we want to live?"

(27:50 mins.) "Sounds stupid want to say it out loud sometimes, but because he was such a jackxxs..."

(31:12 mins.) "We went from being in Barcelona...where we cared about labels... we cared about being cool, looking pretty, all those thingsto moving to India and... where you had to cover up."

(32:10 mins.) "When she was leaving...Peace of mind on her back shoulder."

(32:52 mins.) "Really? ...and she said "It's the best thing that eever happened to me."

(36:37 mins.) "There is so much to learn about the world and ourselves by stepping outside our doors."

(38:00 mins.) "If you're happy first as a parent, as a woman or man, then you'll bring happiness to your children."

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here! Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>41:43cleanIn this episode, we chat in the Marilyn Monroe suite with Angela Carson. Angela is an American expat from Southern California who has travelled all over the globe to over 33 different countries looking for adventure (I said "adventure" not trouble! [smile]). Angela has not only managed to travel the world and commit to an exciting career as an accomplished travel blogger (Boy! Am I jealous! [wink!]).47fullJames ThomasTo Be Smarter Than I was Yesterday - 4S1F46To Be Smarter Than I was YesterdaySat, 05 Nov 2016 19:30:00 +0000In this episode, we have American-expat Drey Gibson who is, at the time of this episode, living in Germany. He is also an expat guest with a military background. Drey is from a place in the U.S. where people from his small town, at the time of his service in the U.S. military, had limited access to information regarding traveling and living overseas.

Drey is an engaging speaker who goes into how he coped with life overseas while in the military. It is easy to hear that his clear and positive state of mind helped him enjoy life abroad. He mentions how being overseas with his fellow soldiers in the late 1990’s is a factor that keeps them united even to this day. He also states clearly that going abroad and interacting with the local people directly changed his perspective of the world and its people.

With a background in media, Drey is now working in the education field. He and his German wife, have three wonderful children with very different and unique personalities. He points out that, partly because of his military postings, he is pleased that his children were able to travel with him to different countries and be exposed to different cultures.

Our guest is a strong believer that expats have a responsibility to share their experiences with those who, for various reasons, aren’t able to travel. He feels it’s important for expats to plant seeds in the minds of people in their hometown or nation that encourages them to travel abroad to see and learn about the world. Maybe by doing so, people will see at a personal level how much they really are alike.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode, we have American-expat Drey Gibson who is, at the time of this episode, living in Germany. He is also an expat guest with a military background. Drey is from a place in the U.S. where people from his small town, at the time of his service in the U.S. military, had limited access to information regarding traveling and living overseas.

Drey is an engaging speaker who goes into how he coped with life overseas while in the military. It is easy to hear that his clear and positive state of mind helped him enjoy life abroad. He mentions how being overseas with his fellow soldiers in the late 1990’s is a factor that keeps them united even to this day. He also states clearly that going abroad and interacting with the local people directly changed his perspective of the world and its people.

With a background in media, Drey is now working in the education field. He and his German wife, have three wonderful children with very different and unique personalities. He points out that, partly because of his military postings, he is pleased that his children were able to travel with him to different countries and be exposed to different cultures.

Our guest is a strong believer that expats have a responsibility to share their experiences with those who, for various reasons, aren’t able to travel. He feels it’s important for expats to plant seeds in the minds of people in their hometown or nation that encourages them to travel abroad to see and learn about the world. Maybe by doing so, people will see at a personal level how much they really are alike.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>57:56cleanIn this episode, we have American-expat Drey Gibson who is, at the time of this episode, living in Germany. He is also an expat guest with a military background. Drey is from a place in the U.S. where people from his small town, at the time of his service in the U.S. military, had limited access to information regarding traveling and living overseas.46fullJames ThomasEmbrace things and teach your kids to do that too - 4S1F45Embrace things and teach your kids to do that tooMon, 31 Oct 2016 17:00:00 +0000In our efforts to further understand the expat experience while raising children abroad, we are lucky this episode to gain further insights into the topic with our guest and fellow podcaster, Ms. Jennifer Langkjaer. Jennifer is an American expat currently living in Switzerland near Zurich.

Jennifer briefly talks about how her children kept up with pop-culture in the US and the type of education her children are getting in Switzerland as opposed to what they may need upon returning to the United States. She also talks about how important it is to try to learn to communicate in the local language. She mentions one experience when she had to use the local language which later made her proud. At the moment of this interview, Jennifer is connecting to us during a semester stay in Houston Texas.

Some of Jennifer’s memorable quotes. Find out why they were said:

(05:45 mins.) “The things that you thought you were going to have access to aren’t the things that you actually have access to.”

(07:00 mins.) “A case of you don’t know what you don’t know.”

(09:00 mins.) “Everything that is just a normal easy part of everyday living becomes much harder becasue …”

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In our efforts to further understand the expat experience while raising children abroad, we are lucky this episode to gain further insights into the topic with our guest and fellow podcaster, Ms. Jennifer Langkjaer. Jennifer is an American expat currently living in Switzerland near Zurich.

Jennifer briefly talks about how her children kept up with pop-culture in the US and the type of education her children are getting in Switzerland as opposed to what they may need upon returning to the United States. She also talks about how important it is to try to learn to communicate in the local language. She mentions one experience when she had to use the local language which later made her proud. At the moment of this interview, Jennifer is connecting to us during a semester stay in Houston Texas.

Some of Jennifer’s memorable quotes. Find out why they were said:

(05:45 mins.) “The things that you thought you were going to have access to aren’t the things that you actually have access to.”

(07:00 mins.) “A case of you don’t know what you don’t know.”

(09:00 mins.) “Everything that is just a normal easy part of everyday living becomes much harder becasue …”

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>36:17cleanIn our efforts to further understand the expat experience while raising children abroad, we are lucky this episode to gain further insights into the topic with our guest and fellow podcaster, Ms. Jennifer Langkjaer. Jennifer is an American expat currently living in Switzerland near Zurich.45fullJames ThomasPeople Need to be Treated as People - 4S1F44People Need to be Treated as PeopleSun, 23 Oct 2016 12:21:25 +0000I have been receiving email from listeners across Facebook and Twitter about covering the topic of parenting overseas. So over the next few weeks, I will be trying to deliver more information about the nuances of parenting as an expat abroad. I will also try to gather information from a variety of expats located in different parts of the world and focus on the commonalities of trying to raise children outside of their passport nation. So beginning in this episode we sit down for a chat with an American expat from Michigan, now living in Abu Dhabi, Ms. Liz Tracy.

Liz has taken to the road abroad with her cute seven-year-old daughter who isn’t having any problem adapting to the expat experience. In fact, Liz’s little doll has been traveling since she was six months old! As a result, she has become used to hearing different languages, observing different cultures and meeting people of all colors, shapes and sizes. In her young innocent eyes, she is just seeing people for what they really are….just simply ”people”.

At the time of this episode, Liz, who is a teacher with a degree in anthropology, has been living in Abu Dhabi with her daughter for four years and she doesn’t miss anything about the snow people back in her hometown get in Michigan.

- Running helps Liz unwind.

- Find out what is the “A” word in Liz’s home because somebody has to be one.

Some of Liz’s quotes:

26:25 mins. “Sometimes you just need to cry and that’s okay.”

26:27 mins. “Sometimes you just need to eat a pound of chocolate and that’s okay.”

26:40 mins. “We can have a break now and that’s okay as long as we pick up the pieces and stand back up.”

27:30 mins. “When you say “yes” to everything, it gets expensive.”

31:13 mins. “I became parent so that I can parent. Whether it’s good or bad, that’s what I chose to do.”

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>I have been receiving email from listeners across Facebook and Twitter about covering the topic of parenting overseas. So over the next few weeks, I will be trying to deliver more information about the nuances of parenting as an expat abroad. I will also try to gather information from a variety of expats located in different parts of the world and focus on the commonalities of trying to raise children outside of their passport nation. So beginning in this episode we sit down for a chat with an American expat from Michigan, now living in Abu Dhabi, Ms. Liz Tracy.

Liz has taken to the road abroad with her cute seven-year-old daughter who isn’t having any problem adapting to the expat experience. In fact, Liz’s little doll has been traveling since she was six months old! As a result, she has become used to hearing different languages, observing different cultures and meeting people of all colors, shapes and sizes. In her young innocent eyes, she is just seeing people for what they really are….just simply ”people”.

At the time of this episode, Liz, who is a teacher with a degree in anthropology, has been living in Abu Dhabi with her daughter for four years and she doesn’t miss anything about the snow people back in her hometown get in Michigan.

- Running helps Liz unwind.

- Find out what is the “A” word in Liz’s home because somebody has to be one.

Some of Liz’s quotes:

26:25 mins. “Sometimes you just need to cry and that’s okay.”

26:27 mins. “Sometimes you just need to eat a pound of chocolate and that’s okay.”

26:40 mins. “We can have a break now and that’s okay as long as we pick up the pieces and stand back up.”

27:30 mins. “When you say “yes” to everything, it gets expensive.”

31:13 mins. “I became parent so that I can parent. Whether it’s good or bad, that’s what I chose to do.”

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>33:26clean wW sit down for a chat with an American expat from Michigan, now living in Abu Dhabi, Ms. Liz Tracy. Liz has taken to the road abroad with her cute seven-year-old daughter who isn’t having any problem adapting to the expat experience. In fact, Liz’s little doll has been traveling since she was six months old! 44fullJames ThomasPeople are still people no matter how different the cultures - 4S1F43People are still people no matter how different the culturesFri, 07 Oct 2016 17:35:47 +0000In this episode, James is talking to American expat, part-time musician with a voice that any radio announcer would dream of having, Mr. Jim Santos. Jim is a retired network engineer from the DC area someplace near Chesapeake Bay and is connecting to us from Ecuador. I found Jim from one of his articles posted on the Wall Street Journal website.

From his overseas vantage point, Jim uses a direct and, at times, strategic humorous point of view to highlight the events currently going on in the US.

He talks about unfortunate events brought him and his wife together and to life in Ecuador. Jim points out that there is a big difference between vacationing somewhere and living abroad. For Jim and his wife home is anywhere they are together and happy.

In this interview, Jim honestly lays out what he notices from the events taking place in his home nation. I really appreciate he’s straightforward and honest opinions.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Jim words of wisdom while living as an expat:

(05:04) “I give good phone.”

(07:08) “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

(07:54) “Home is just where we are together and happy.”

(08:25) “Your place doesn’t matter as much as where you are inside matters.”

(13:14) “People are still people no matter how different the culture is.”

(13:47) Jim talks about the two common complaints American expats mention while living abroad.

(14:24) “Mañana” doesn’t mean tomorrow. It means not right now, not today.”

(14:54) “It’s the time you spend with people that is important not to time as it is measured on your clock or on your calendar.”

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode, James is talking to American expat, part-time musician with a voice that any radio announcer would dream of having, Mr. Jim Santos. Jim is a retired network engineer from the DC area someplace near Chesapeake Bay and is connecting to us from Ecuador. I found Jim from one of his articles posted on the Wall Street Journal website.

From his overseas vantage point, Jim uses a direct and, at times, strategic humorous point of view to highlight the events currently going on in the US.

He talks about unfortunate events brought him and his wife together and to life in Ecuador. Jim points out that there is a big difference between vacationing somewhere and living abroad. For Jim and his wife home is anywhere they are together and happy.

In this interview, Jim honestly lays out what he notices from the events taking place in his home nation. I really appreciate he’s straightforward and honest opinions.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Jim words of wisdom while living as an expat:

(05:04) “I give good phone.”

(07:08) “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

(07:54) “Home is just where we are together and happy.”

(08:25) “Your place doesn’t matter as much as where you are inside matters.”

(13:14) “People are still people no matter how different the culture is.”

(13:47) Jim talks about the two common complaints American expats mention while living abroad.

(14:24) “Mañana” doesn’t mean tomorrow. It means not right now, not today.”

(14:54) “It’s the time you spend with people that is important not to time as it is measured on your clock or on your calendar.”

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>37:41cleanIn this episode, James is talking to American expat, part-time musician with a voice that any radio announcer would dream of having, Mr. Jim Santos. Jim is a retired network engineer from the DC area someplace near Chesapeake Bay and is connecting to us from Ecuador. I found Jim from one of his articles posted on the Wall Street Journal website. From his overseas vantage point, Jim uses a direct and, at times, strategic humorous point of view to highlight the events currently going on in the US.43fullJames ThomasFear: The Main Ingredient in Cultural Intolerance - 4S1F42The Main Ingredient in Cultural IntoleranceWed, 28 Sep 2016 16:00:00 +0000I truly believe every single person on Earth has the ability to show compassion towards their fellow human beings regardless of the many countless obstacles. In my podcast, Four Seas One Family, I frantically try to construct cultural bridges to shorten the distance between common beliefs and mutual concerns.

Global events displayed daily on our televisions, read in newspapers and on-line causes us to develop a pessimistic view of the world. The large numbers of innocent people suffering and dying for causes they may not even care about or understand casts a negative view of the world that is being passed on to our children and future generations. This, in turn, is causing them to become suspicious, lose faith, feel insecure and, in the end, hopeless about their future.

The side-effects of these feelings, situations and unfortunate events is a state of heightened fear that becomes multiplied over time. This constant state of fear affects everyone regardless of their location or social political status. Fear has taken on the effects of a wide spread disease and effects us all on multiple levels that aren't easy to detect. The physiological signs of fear can be quickly and easily observed within our communities. However, the signs of psychological fear isn't that easily detected and monitored. Today, it is easily seen that fear is a leading stimulus in the creation of many national policies and practices. And sadly, many of these policies and practices are causing harm to people who don't possess financial and political power. Many of these policies discriminate against people of color, different political ideologies, sexual orientation and religious views. Fear is not benign.

Fears are also directly responsible for the rise of social evangelists and politicians who propagate these fears to those who feel that they are losing control of their political power, wealth, social status and freedoms. So, in an attempt to protect their way of life, those with the power and wealth that harbor these fears look for and develop legislative means to protect themselves from, what they perceive as, the types of people threatening their (social, political, religious and financial) existence. Rules and regulations are made and amended to separate themselves at all levels from the offending group or groups.

Many of you may think that I'm only talking about the recent events now taking place in the United States or other Western nations. On the contrary, I want it to also be known that these same types of social suppressions can be observed in nations that have lesser global political and financial influences. Even in nations like these, national and local law enforcement agencies are given the powers to suppress opposition by threatening, incarcerating, physically punishing and, in some cases, killing those who refuse to abide by the limitations placed upon them or just about anyone who is perceived as a threat to the privileged ruling class.

Believe me when I say that I’ve been promoting the expat experience as a way to share, celebrate and benefit from the unique differences and commonalities of the many cultures of the world. By inviting people to come on the podcast and share their overseas experiences, other people from different parts of the world looking to experience life abroad may find a reason to tune in and learn that there isn't always a reason to challenge differences. I hope that they become curious about seeing other parts of the world and look forward to experiencing different cultures and learning other languages and be exposed to people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, politics and religions.

I do this podcast with the hope that by giving people a bit of audio exposure to the experiences of other people who have lived in difference parts of the world and within different cultures that they themselves would desire to make plans to explore similar paths. This would lower the "fear factor" that have developed and extinguish misunderstandings before they set in and become a problem. It is a fact that when people experience life and living outside their home nation they develop a more global understanding of the world because they can at a personal level understand that we all have more in common than we think. Collectively, people need to accept differences for what they simply are instead of seeing differences as attacks on everything they feel they must protect at all costs.

Now, let's have a wake up moment. It may sound depressing but let's be real. Differences do exist between people and let's face it that some people will never be able to learn to or accept living peacefully with others. Some will even try to cause harm to those who aren't like them or hold their personal beliefs and this is unfortunate. The goal should be to foster a course of understanding and a line of communication with respect. There are many things that prevent people from getting along and things like greed and ideology can get in the way. Sure, there are people (from all walks of life and cultures) who want to purposely cause harm and install reasons to fear and hate another group of people. They want to keep people from different backgrounds, beliefs and cultures separated so they can't find a common ground of communication, but thankfully they aren't in the majority. The truth is, most people would rather live in peace.

However, today I would like to make a comparison between a few events that have taken place in the United States and in Great Britain. Both nations are going through a systematic and problematic crisis that is causing serious conflicts among it's citizens. Also, and unfortunately, both nations have a long history of issues related to the human rights of minorities within their borders. In the US, the numbers of African Americans dying at the hands of the police, who are sworn to serve and protect American citizens, has sky rocketed in numbers beyond recent memory.

Both the police and the citizens are afraid and this is an obstacle for open and honest discussions between the two. The US has been the world leader in many aspects of living standards. However, today because of the relatively easy access to guns, the US has become a leader in mass public shootings by criminals and the mentally unsound.

At times it appears that there is an international gag order placed on open discussion of certain issues and this is the same as placing your head in a hole in the ground.

Fear and prejudices can even be found in financial policies and practices that some have towards members of minority communities that are seen as a threat to the financially connected and politically empowered.

The U.S. and the U.K. aren't the only nations that are displaying signs of intolerance within their borders. Nations like Brazil and India, nations that aren't often a headliner in western main stream media, are also nations facing incidents of intolerance. People are being killed in these nations for having a different sexual orientation and more women are reporting being raped at alarming levels and, in some cases, just disappearing.

My little podcasting platform will not change the world on a major level but it can help create some dialog and raise awareness that we all have to face in our "home nations". I also hope that fellow expats bring some of their experiences back home to share and maybe at lease some people we interact with will try to see our differences as an opportunity to learn more about one another. TOPICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>I truly believe every single person on Earth has the ability to show compassion towards their fellow human beings regardless of the many countless obstacles. In my podcast, Four Seas One Family, I frantically try to construct cultural bridges to shorten the distance between common beliefs and mutual concerns.

Global events displayed daily on our televisions, read in newspapers and on-line causes us to develop a pessimistic view of the world. The large numbers of innocent people suffering and dying for causes they may not even care about or understand casts a negative view of the world that is being passed on to our children and future generations. This, in turn, is causing them to become suspicious, lose faith, feel insecure and, in the end, hopeless about their future.

The side-effects of these feelings, situations and unfortunate events is a state of heightened fear that becomes multiplied over time. This constant state of fear affects everyone regardless of their location or social political status. Fear has taken on the effects of a wide spread disease and effects us all on multiple levels that aren't easy to detect. The physiological signs of fear can be quickly and easily observed within our communities. However, the signs of psychological fear isn't that easily detected and monitored. Today, it is easily seen that fear is a leading stimulus in the creation of many national policies and practices. And sadly, many of these policies and practices are causing harm to people who don't possess financial and political power. Many of these policies discriminate against people of color, different political ideologies, sexual orientation and religious views. Fear is not benign.

Fears are also directly responsible for the rise of social evangelists and politicians who propagate these fears to those who feel that they are losing control of their political power, wealth, social status and freedoms. So, in an attempt to protect their way of life, those with the power and wealth that harbor these fears look for and develop legislative means to protect themselves from, what they perceive as, the types of people threatening their (social, political, religious and financial) existence. Rules and regulations are made and amended to separate themselves at all levels from the offending group or groups.

Many of you may think that I'm only talking about the recent events now taking place in the United States or other Western nations. On the contrary, I want it to also be known that these same types of social suppressions can be observed in nations that have lesser global political and financial influences. Even in nations like these, national and local law enforcement agencies are given the powers to suppress opposition by threatening, incarcerating, physically punishing and, in some cases, killing those who refuse to abide by the limitations placed upon them or just about anyone who is perceived as a threat to the privileged ruling class.

Believe me when I say that I’ve been promoting the expat experience as a way to share, celebrate and benefit from the unique differences and commonalities of the many cultures of the world. By inviting people to come on the podcast and share their overseas experiences, other people from different parts of the world looking to experience life abroad may find a reason to tune in and learn that there isn't always a reason to challenge differences. I hope that they become curious about seeing other parts of the world and look forward to experiencing different cultures and learning other languages and be exposed to people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, politics and religions.

I do this podcast with the hope that by giving people a bit of audio exposure to the experiences of other people who have lived in difference parts of the world and within different cultures that they themselves would desire to make plans to explore similar paths. This would lower the "fear factor" that have developed and extinguish misunderstandings before they set in and become a problem. It is a fact that when people experience life and living outside their home nation they develop a more global understanding of the world because they can at a personal level understand that we all have more in common than we think. Collectively, people need to accept differences for what they simply are instead of seeing differences as attacks on everything they feel they must protect at all costs.

Now, let's have a wake up moment. It may sound depressing but let's be real. Differences do exist between people and let's face it that some people will never be able to learn to or accept living peacefully with others. Some will even try to cause harm to those who aren't like them or hold their personal beliefs and this is unfortunate. The goal should be to foster a course of understanding and a line of communication with respect. There are many things that prevent people from getting along and things like greed and ideology can get in the way. Sure, there are people (from all walks of life and cultures) who want to purposely cause harm and install reasons to fear and hate another group of people. They want to keep people from different backgrounds, beliefs and cultures separated so they can't find a common ground of communication, but thankfully they aren't in the majority. The truth is, most people would rather live in peace.

However, today I would like to make a comparison between a few events that have taken place in the United States and in Great Britain. Both nations are going through a systematic and problematic crisis that is causing serious conflicts among it's citizens. Also, and unfortunately, both nations have a long history of issues related to the human rights of minorities within their borders. In the US, the numbers of African Americans dying at the hands of the police, who are sworn to serve and protect American citizens, has sky rocketed in numbers beyond recent memory.

Both the police and the citizens are afraid and this is an obstacle for open and honest discussions between the two. The US has been the world leader in many aspects of living standards. However, today because of the relatively easy access to guns, the US has become a leader in mass public shootings by criminals and the mentally unsound.

At times it appears that there is an international gag order placed on open discussion of certain issues and this is the same as placing your head in a hole in the ground.

Fear and prejudices can even be found in financial policies and practices that some have towards members of minority communities that are seen as a threat to the financially connected and politically empowered.

The U.S. and the U.K. aren't the only nations that are displaying signs of intolerance within their borders. Nations like Brazil and India, nations that aren't often a headliner in western main stream media, are also nations facing incidents of intolerance. People are being killed in these nations for having a different sexual orientation and more women are reporting being raped at alarming levels and, in some cases, just disappearing.

My little podcasting platform will not change the world on a major level but it can help create some dialog and raise awareness that we all have to face in our "home nations". I also hope that fellow expats bring some of their experiences back home to share and maybe at lease some people we interact with will try to see our differences as an opportunity to learn more about one another. TOPICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>15:12cleanEvery single person on Earth has the ability to show compassion towards their fellow human beings regardless of the many countless obstacles. In my podcast, Four Seas One Family, I frantically try to construct cultural bridges to shorten the distance between common beliefs and mutual concerns.42fullJames ThomasYou Should Live Where You're Treated Well - 4S1F41You Should Live Where You're Treated WellWed, 21 Sep 2016 16:00:00 +0000In this episode we have a fellow podcaster from Kansas City who is now living as an expat in Belize on the island of Caye Caulker. A person of action, Robert Harper, explains how he has changed his philosophy about life and managed to arrange a lifestyle that allows him to work remotely and experience living abroad with his extended family which includes two wonderful young grandchildren. Robert shares why he feels supplying his grandchildren with supplementary remote educational resources will help them develop a more overall competitive educational advantage.

He also explains what he doesn't miss about life in the U.S. and why he doesn't think he will own land to live on again. This maybe because of how his nomadic lifestyle suits the life he and his family have chosen to enjoy.

He also points out, that as an expat, it is important to get out and learn about the surroundings and it's people. Listen to what Robert learnt from a local Belizean businesswoman about the connection Belize once had with the slave trade in the U.S.. Most importantly, Robert also explains why people in his home nation have to stop being afraid and explore the outside world.

**Some of Robert's quotes**:

7:50 mins.

"There is a saying on Caye Caulker. You're on Belizean time. Mañana doesn't mean tomorrow. It could mean next week."

9:56 mins.

"I don't know if we'll ever again own a place in any country"

16:20 mins.

"After the Civil War in the US, a number of plantation owners moved to South Belize and stopped growing cotton and started growing sugarcane and transfer their slaves."

20:20 mins.

"Our experience is the first question asked by anybody in the State is: Aren't you afraid?"

21:10 mins.

"Yes, we are going to be safe but we're not going to be in a bubble."

23:35 mins.

"In today's world, you should live where you're treated well."

35:00 mins.

About thinking about living life abroad: "Take action. Stop thinking about doing this because no matter where you are in your life you'll never have as much money as you think you should (have) to be able to do this."

35:47 mins.

"Just because you (have) decided to do this doesn't mean you'll have to do this forever."

Life abroad isn't always as cool as it looks like in the movies. Normal things happen while living abroad. Robert writes about what he went through to get medical care for his wife in Belize in a blog post. He notes that it's affordable to get sick in Belize. Medical care in the US can carry a heavy cost and place a burden on people and their families. Other countries have health care is just as good or better than the health care in the U.S. and that shouldn't be a surprise.

One mind blowing thing Robert said during the interview was that in Belize, AFTER seeking medical care, he is able to sit down and chat with his doctor for forty-five minutes just to talk about general things. What! Forty-five minutes on the doctors time! Unlike in the US where, if you're lucky, 15 minutes maximum is the norm.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

As mentioned, Robert is also a podcaster. Robert co-host the podcast Roaming Start Up. Roaming Start Up in the past focused on crowd funding. In the future, the show will refocus an cover digital nomadic lifestyles.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode we have a fellow podcaster from Kansas City who is now living as an expat in Belize on the island of Caye Caulker. A person of action, Robert Harper, explains how he has changed his philosophy about life and managed to arrange a lifestyle that allows him to work remotely and experience living abroad with his extended family which includes two wonderful young grandchildren. Robert shares why he feels supplying his grandchildren with supplementary remote educational resources will help them develop a more overall competitive educational advantage.

He also explains what he doesn't miss about life in the U.S. and why he doesn't think he will own land to live on again. This maybe because of how his nomadic lifestyle suits the life he and his family have chosen to enjoy.

He also points out, that as an expat, it is important to get out and learn about the surroundings and it's people. Listen to what Robert learnt from a local Belizean businesswoman about the connection Belize once had with the slave trade in the U.S.. Most importantly, Robert also explains why people in his home nation have to stop being afraid and explore the outside world.

**Some of Robert's quotes**:

7:50 mins.

"There is a saying on Caye Caulker. You're on Belizean time. Mañana doesn't mean tomorrow. It could mean next week."

9:56 mins.

"I don't know if we'll ever again own a place in any country"

16:20 mins.

"After the Civil War in the US, a number of plantation owners moved to South Belize and stopped growing cotton and started growing sugarcane and transfer their slaves."

20:20 mins.

"Our experience is the first question asked by anybody in the State is: Aren't you afraid?"

21:10 mins.

"Yes, we are going to be safe but we're not going to be in a bubble."

23:35 mins.

"In today's world, you should live where you're treated well."

35:00 mins.

About thinking about living life abroad: "Take action. Stop thinking about doing this because no matter where you are in your life you'll never have as much money as you think you should (have) to be able to do this."

35:47 mins.

"Just because you (have) decided to do this doesn't mean you'll have to do this forever."

Life abroad isn't always as cool as it looks like in the movies. Normal things happen while living abroad. Robert writes about what he went through to get medical care for his wife in Belize in a blog post. He notes that it's affordable to get sick in Belize. Medical care in the US can carry a heavy cost and place a burden on people and their families. Other countries have health care is just as good or better than the health care in the U.S. and that shouldn't be a surprise.

One mind blowing thing Robert said during the interview was that in Belize, AFTER seeking medical care, he is able to sit down and chat with his doctor for forty-five minutes just to talk about general things. What! Forty-five minutes on the doctors time! Unlike in the US where, if you're lucky, 15 minutes maximum is the norm.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

As mentioned, Robert is also a podcaster. Robert co-host the podcast Roaming Start Up. Roaming Start Up in the past focused on crowd funding. In the future, the show will refocus an cover digital nomadic lifestyles.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>37:59cleanWe have a fellow podcaster from Kansas City who is now living as an expat in Belize on the island of Caye Caulker. A person of action, Robert Harper, explains how he has changed his philosophy about life and managed to arrange a lifestyle that allows him to work remotely and experience living abroad with his extended family which includes two wonderful young grandchildren.41fullJames ThomasWhat has become normal is fascinating again - 4S1F40What has become normal is fascinating againSun, 11 Sep 2016 12:50:30 +0000Many people find their life path at unexpected times and in bewildering situations. Sometimes, people find themselves “evacuating” a certain life situation to search for another purpose. In this episode we are happy to sit down for a chat with American expat Andrea Whitaker. Andrea is very energetic so she doesn’t just sit around waiting for adventure to somehow find her. She bravely goes out on her scooter and not only looks for adventure, but hunts for it. Andrea has left over 25 years in the world of aviation and has been all over the globe learning about different cultures and lifestyles.

Today, Andrea is an English teacher in Taiwan’s technology center, Hsinchu, which is a little over 40 minutes south of the capital, Taipei. Also, she’s an affluent blogger. On her blog, she writes about her expat adventures and breathtaking discoveries.

In this episode, Andrea talks about how she is extracting quality out of her expat experiences. She mentions how her relationships with her adult students are helping her get an even deeper knowledge of Taiwan and its people. All in all, while moving at the speed of light, she keeps a positive outlook on living life abroad.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Many people find their life path at unexpected times and in bewildering situations. Sometimes, people find themselves “evacuating” a certain life situation to search for another purpose. In this episode we are happy to sit down for a chat with American expat Andrea Whitaker. Andrea is very energetic so she doesn’t just sit around waiting for adventure to somehow find her. She bravely goes out on her scooter and not only looks for adventure, but hunts for it. Andrea has left over 25 years in the world of aviation and has been all over the globe learning about different cultures and lifestyles.

Today, Andrea is an English teacher in Taiwan’s technology center, Hsinchu, which is a little over 40 minutes south of the capital, Taipei. Also, she’s an affluent blogger. On her blog, she writes about her expat adventures and breathtaking discoveries.

In this episode, Andrea talks about how she is extracting quality out of her expat experiences. She mentions how her relationships with her adult students are helping her get an even deeper knowledge of Taiwan and its people. All in all, while moving at the speed of light, she keeps a positive outlook on living life abroad.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>31:19cleanSometimes, people find themselves “evacuating” a certain life situation to search for another purpose. In this episode we are happy to sit down for a chat with American expat Andrea Whitaker. Andrea is very energetic so she doesn’t just sit around waiting for adventure to somehow find her. She bravely goes out on her scooter and not only looks for adventure, but hunts for it.40fullJames ThomasLower your expectations so that you can get the results that you want - 4S1F39Lower your expectations so that you can get the results that you wantWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:00:00 +0000Join us this episode as our host, James Thomas, sits down for a chat with Zambian-Canadian expat-entrepreneur Mr. Rico Ngoma. Tune in and listen to what lead Mr. Ngoma to learn more about China and what gave him the spark to finally move to China and start a business in the southern ever-moving Chinese city of Guangzhou. As Rico’s parents are also deeply involved in business, it maybe fair to say that doing business is in Rico’s DNA.

Rico followed the road many expats take while living abroad and draws some interesting comparisons between doing business and living a normal life in China that may sound confusing to anyone upon their first encounter. Rico is and open-minded individual and shows how understanding the history of a people can help an expat except, survive and understand their life in their overseas location.

Rico’s direct comments offers valuable insights into the life of an expat businessman navigating the bumpy business roads in China.

Rico explains: “…China is not a big Walmart where you can go to an aisle and get want you want…”

www.enterchina.co - Is a private (paid) online mastermind community with 150 members. We focus on manufacturing in China; our members have raised over $2 million from crowd funding campaigns using the methods developed in the community.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Join us this episode as our host, James Thomas, sits down for a chat with Zambian-Canadian expat-entrepreneur Mr. Rico Ngoma. Tune in and listen to what lead Mr. Ngoma to learn more about China and what gave him the spark to finally move to China and start a business in the southern ever-moving Chinese city of Guangzhou. As Rico’s parents are also deeply involved in business, it maybe fair to say that doing business is in Rico’s DNA.

Rico followed the road many expats take while living abroad and draws some interesting comparisons between doing business and living a normal life in China that may sound confusing to anyone upon their first encounter. Rico is and open-minded individual and shows how understanding the history of a people can help an expat except, survive and understand their life in their overseas location.

Rico’s direct comments offers valuable insights into the life of an expat businessman navigating the bumpy business roads in China.

Rico explains: “…China is not a big Walmart where you can go to an aisle and get want you want…”

www.enterchina.co - Is a private (paid) online mastermind community with 150 members. We focus on manufacturing in China; our members have raised over $2 million from crowd funding campaigns using the methods developed in the community.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>47:09cleanJames sits down for a chat with Zambian-Canadian expat-entrepreneur Mr. Rico Ngoma. Listen to what lead Mr. Ngoma to learn more about China and what gave him the spark to finally move to China and start a business in the southern ever-moving Chinese city of Guangzhou.39fullJames Thomas4S1F38 Accept In Your Mind That You Can Do ItAccept In Your Mind That You Can Do ItWed, 24 Aug 2016 16:00:00 +0000Today, I am happy to have new dad, podcaster and entrepreneur Mr. Michael Michelini on the show. Michael is not only a new dad of two wonderful children; he is also a podcaster with two shows to look after! A top of all of this, Michael is also a business consultant for overseas companies looking to manufacture products in China. Michael’s consulting business, along with its website and other businesses, specializes in helping individuals and overseas companies understand how to do business in China. Michael has a long list of people and companies he has helped over the years to solve business issues related to China’s complex business maze.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Today, I am happy to have new dad, podcaster and entrepreneur Mr. Michael Michelini on the show. Michael is not only a new dad of two wonderful children; he is also a podcaster with two shows to look after! A top of all of this, Michael is also a business consultant for overseas companies looking to manufacture products in China. Michael’s consulting business, along with its website and other businesses, specializes in helping individuals and overseas companies understand how to do business in China. Michael has a long list of people and companies he has helped over the years to solve business issues related to China’s complex business maze.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>29:49cleanWe have new dad, podcaster and entrepreneur Mr. Michael Michelini on the show. Michael is not only a new dad of two wonderful children; he is also a podcaster with two shows to look after! A top of all of this, Michael is also a business consultant for overseas companies looking to manufacture products in China. 38fullJames Thomas4S1F37 Taking a Leap of FaithTaking a Leap of FaithWed, 17 Aug 2016 16:00:00 +0000It is no secret that taking a leap of faith of any kind can lead to many important transitions in anyone’s life, which can help a person further develop him or herself as a part of the human race. In this episode, James is joined in his downtown office studio in Taipei with Mr. Johnny Fountain who currently works for a major global computer manufacturer with offices in Asia. Johnny is now based in Taipei, Taiwan and he joins us in this episode to talk about his experiences that lead to his life abroad. He talks about how he took a leap of faith and looks forward to life beyond the safety net he had at home.

Johnny, from a little town in Georgia, mentions some similarities he has discovered between food and culture. Most importantly, Johnny shares how he learned to get involved with the local culture, which opened a gateway for him to make friends and take part in many local events. His experiences have offered him a better understanding of the local people within his environment. Join us as we take a look from a different perspective from someone who eagerly looks forward to his life abroad.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>It is no secret that taking a leap of faith of any kind can lead to many important transitions in anyone’s life, which can help a person further develop him or herself as a part of the human race. In this episode, James is joined in his downtown office studio in Taipei with Mr. Johnny Fountain who currently works for a major global computer manufacturer with offices in Asia. Johnny is now based in Taipei, Taiwan and he joins us in this episode to talk about his experiences that lead to his life abroad. He talks about how he took a leap of faith and looks forward to life beyond the safety net he had at home.

Johnny, from a little town in Georgia, mentions some similarities he has discovered between food and culture. Most importantly, Johnny shares how he learned to get involved with the local culture, which opened a gateway for him to make friends and take part in many local events. His experiences have offered him a better understanding of the local people within his environment. Join us as we take a look from a different perspective from someone who eagerly looks forward to his life abroad.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>37:52cleanIt is no secret that taking a leap of faith of any kind can lead to many important transitions in anyone’s life, which can help a person further develop him or herself as a part of the human race. In this episode, James is joined in his downtown office studio in Taipei with Mr. Johnny Fountain who currently works for a major global computer manufacturer with offices in Asia.37fullJames Thomas4S1F36 Make People Understand That They are Heard and UnderstoodMake People Understand That They are Heard and UnderstoodFri, 05 Aug 2016 16:00:00 +0000Teaching is a tool to help make this world a better place for everyone and today I am very lucky to have Mr. Barry Mernin on the show this episode. Mr. Mernin is a lifelong elementary educator. Before teaching overseas, Mr. Mernin spent 12 years teaching in the US. Now, at the time of this episode, Mr. Mernin has spent the past fifteen years teaching in Singapore, Japan, Jordan and Hong Kong. He is currently a teaching administrator at Hokkaido International School- Niseko, Japan.

Mr. Mernin’s professional mission statement is: “ I will provide a wholesome and upbeat environment for any and all students to succeed. I will teach students to learn to be content. I will demand that students care for the world around them as well as themselves. I will remember what it is like to be a child.”

Mr. Mernin has a master’s degree in Mathematics and has attended summer workshops with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, directed by Lucy Calkins. Mr. Mernin has also obtained a leadership certificate from the Principal’s Training Center for International Educators. This interview touched me and I see why Mr. Mernin is really a professional educator who values lifelong learning and is constantly enhancing his craft.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Teaching is a tool to help make this world a better place for everyone and today I am very lucky to have Mr. Barry Mernin on the show this episode. Mr. Mernin is a lifelong elementary educator. Before teaching overseas, Mr. Mernin spent 12 years teaching in the US. Now, at the time of this episode, Mr. Mernin has spent the past fifteen years teaching in Singapore, Japan, Jordan and Hong Kong. He is currently a teaching administrator at Hokkaido International School- Niseko, Japan.

Mr. Mernin’s professional mission statement is: “ I will provide a wholesome and upbeat environment for any and all students to succeed. I will teach students to learn to be content. I will demand that students care for the world around them as well as themselves. I will remember what it is like to be a child.”

Mr. Mernin has a master’s degree in Mathematics and has attended summer workshops with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, directed by Lucy Calkins. Mr. Mernin has also obtained a leadership certificate from the Principal’s Training Center for International Educators. This interview touched me and I see why Mr. Mernin is really a professional educator who values lifelong learning and is constantly enhancing his craft.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>45:54cleanWe have Mr. Barry Mernin on the show this episode. Mr. Mernin is a lifelong elementary educator. Before teaching overseas, Mr. Mernin spent 12 years teaching in the US. Now, at the time of this episode, Mr. Mernin has spent the past fifteen years teaching in Singapore, Japan, Jordan and Hong Kong. He is currently a teaching administrator at Hokkaido International School- Niseko, Japan.36fullJames Thomas4S1F35 The Expat's Approach to Assimilation and Humility in Learning about a HoThe Expat's Approach to Assimilation and Humility in Learning about a HoWed, 20 Jul 2016 16:00:00 +0000In this episode James and Jon Dunning sit down for a chat about the different types of expats that adventure beyond their nations borders to experience life and for what reasons. Expats view their overseas life experience in many ways and in this podcast learn about the make up of a few of them.

The expat's approach to assimilation and humility in learning about a host country's culture, balancing birth/host country cultures, are we conquerors, escapees or explorers?

Over the years, Jon has worked as an actor - and a lifeguard and bike messenger in the long gaps between acting jobs. After starting and growing a small business, he has spent most of his career improving service delivery, customer experience and staff development for organizations on three continents.

Working in local government in New Zealand, he blends his leadership, facilitation and coaching skills with design thinking, process improvement and capability-building to create engaged teams, better services and happier customers.

As a coach, Jon combines his passion for helping other grow with his experience in business and community work to coach those who seek to explore their full potential.

Away from work, Jon enjoys reading, writing and podcasting on a quiet rural smallholding in New Zealand's South Kaipara.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode James and Jon Dunning sit down for a chat about the different types of expats that adventure beyond their nations borders to experience life and for what reasons. Expats view their overseas life experience in many ways and in this podcast learn about the make up of a few of them.

The expat's approach to assimilation and humility in learning about a host country's culture, balancing birth/host country cultures, are we conquerors, escapees or explorers?

Over the years, Jon has worked as an actor - and a lifeguard and bike messenger in the long gaps between acting jobs. After starting and growing a small business, he has spent most of his career improving service delivery, customer experience and staff development for organizations on three continents.

Working in local government in New Zealand, he blends his leadership, facilitation and coaching skills with design thinking, process improvement and capability-building to create engaged teams, better services and happier customers.

As a coach, Jon combines his passion for helping other grow with his experience in business and community work to coach those who seek to explore their full potential.

Away from work, Jon enjoys reading, writing and podcasting on a quiet rural smallholding in New Zealand's South Kaipara.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this podcast.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in iTunes by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>41:38cleanIn this episode James and Jon Dunning sit down for a chat about the different types of expats that adventure beyond their nations borders to experience life and for what reasons. Expats view their overseas life experience in many ways and in this podcast learn about the make up of a few of them.35fullJames Thomas4S1F34 Ian Mote: From Chicken Feet to Crystal BathsIan Mote: From Chicken Feet to Crystal BathsThu, 14 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000We have expat author Ian Mote on the show to share his expat experience and how and why he decided to write a memoir of his life in China in his comically titled book "From Chicken Feet to Crystal Baths". As a youngster from London and while traveling from country to country with his parents, Ian may have picked up an expat gene along the way.

As of this podcast, Ian has lived as a expat for over 14 years. He has lived 4 years in Hong Kong, 3 years in Dubai and over 7 years in Shanghai, China. Ian chats about how he got hooked on being an expat. However, in this interview, we centre on the making of his unique book that encircles his interactions as a commercial banker and communications with people in China.

I have always loved to travel. Right from the time I went around the world as a baby in my parents’ arms, travelling has been in my blood.

Growing up in London, as I grew older I started looking at longer-term trips away from the UK. Aged eighteen, I took the obligatory gap year, when I spent six months on a school exchange program in rural Kansas, experiencing American life that I had only before seen on television or in films. It made me realise that maybe there was more out there in the world to understand, see, and experience.

I went to Hong Kong for the first time in 1990 and then again in 1995. The 1995 trip also featured my first tentative steps onto mainland Chinese soil. Despite a chronic case of food poisoning spoiling my view somewhat, even then I found China fascinating. What a different world from suburban London.

In 2002 I moved permanently to Hong Kong and lived there for four frenetic years. That time included regular trips into all different parts of China, and from those trips, these stories started. I had an intermission from China when I moved to Dubai in 2006, but in late 2008 I took the opportunity to return to Asia to live in Shanghai, where I remain to this day.

]]>We have expat author Ian Mote on the show to share his expat experience and how and why he decided to write a memoir of his life in China in his comically titled book "From Chicken Feet to Crystal Baths". As a youngster from London and while traveling from country to country with his parents, Ian may have picked up an expat gene along the way.

As of this podcast, Ian has lived as a expat for over 14 years. He has lived 4 years in Hong Kong, 3 years in Dubai and over 7 years in Shanghai, China. Ian chats about how he got hooked on being an expat. However, in this interview, we centre on the making of his unique book that encircles his interactions as a commercial banker and communications with people in China.

I have always loved to travel. Right from the time I went around the world as a baby in my parents’ arms, travelling has been in my blood.

Growing up in London, as I grew older I started looking at longer-term trips away from the UK. Aged eighteen, I took the obligatory gap year, when I spent six months on a school exchange program in rural Kansas, experiencing American life that I had only before seen on television or in films. It made me realise that maybe there was more out there in the world to understand, see, and experience.

I went to Hong Kong for the first time in 1990 and then again in 1995. The 1995 trip also featured my first tentative steps onto mainland Chinese soil. Despite a chronic case of food poisoning spoiling my view somewhat, even then I found China fascinating. What a different world from suburban London.

In 2002 I moved permanently to Hong Kong and lived there for four frenetic years. That time included regular trips into all different parts of China, and from those trips, these stories started. I had an intermission from China when I moved to Dubai in 2006, but in late 2008 I took the opportunity to return to Asia to live in Shanghai, where I remain to this day.

]]>39:17cleanWe have expat author Ian Mote on the show to share his expat experience and how and why he decided to write a memoir of his life in China in his comically titled book "From Chicken Feet to Crystal Baths". As a youngster from London and while traveling from country to country with his parents, Ian may have picked up an expat gene along the way.34fullJames Thomas4S1F33 Amanda Bate: The Black Expat IdentityAmanda Bate: The Black Expat IdentitySat, 02 Jul 2016 18:00:00 +0000I’m very happy to have Ms. Amanda Bate as my guest on the podcast. Amanda was born in the US to Cameroonian parents and grew up in Africa. Amanda is also the founder of The Black Expat website.

The Black Expat website spotlights collected black expat experiences that are directly related to a black expat’s survival while living abroad. Also, parts of the website talks about issues that relate to raising children abroad and, in particular issues related to what Third Culture Kids (TCKs) face while living abroad and upon touching down in the nation of their parents birth.

Currently Amanda lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she works in educational consulting as a director of a college access program that assist low income and underrepresented minority students regarding their postsecondary education plans.

Amanda explains how she became an advocate of studying abroad and why she’s working to make studying abroad more accessible to minority students who normally wouldn’t even think about an educational experience beyond their nation’s border.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>I’m very happy to have Ms. Amanda Bate as my guest on the podcast. Amanda was born in the US to Cameroonian parents and grew up in Africa. Amanda is also the founder of The Black Expat website.

The Black Expat website spotlights collected black expat experiences that are directly related to a black expat’s survival while living abroad. Also, parts of the website talks about issues that relate to raising children abroad and, in particular issues related to what Third Culture Kids (TCKs) face while living abroad and upon touching down in the nation of their parents birth.

Currently Amanda lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she works in educational consulting as a director of a college access program that assist low income and underrepresented minority students regarding their postsecondary education plans.

Amanda explains how she became an advocate of studying abroad and why she’s working to make studying abroad more accessible to minority students who normally wouldn’t even think about an educational experience beyond their nation’s border.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>49:53cleanI’m very happy to have Ms. Amanda Bate as my guest on the podcast. Amanda was born in the US to Cameroonian parents and grew up in Africa. Amanda is also the founder of The Black Expat website. The Black Expat website spotlights collected black expat experiences that are directly related to a black expat’s survival while living abroad. 33fullJames Thomas4S1F32 Give an expats point of view a fair listenGive an expats point of view a fair listenSun, 29 May 2016 19:50:44 +0000EPISODE OVERVIEW:

In this episode, I go into a direction that has been on my mind ever since I decided to live permanently outside my nation of birth. I often find it hard to explain to friends and family back in the South Bronx the reasons why I chose to live abroad and face the challenges of living away from familiar faces, places and customs. I didn’t want to fall into the same, and often limited, life style most African-Americans with little or no financial backing often find themselves becoming a part of. Even with a college degree, I felt that I needed to obtain education from other sources to acquire full understanding of the world and, in turn, myself. I also wanted to cast-off the predicted social limits male African-Americans directly or indirectly become a participant of.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER:

I am a podcaster who does a podcast about the, mainly positive, aspects of living life abroad. I must say clearly that there are things that I see in my overseas environment that can upset me if I allow it. I understand that I’m really just a guest and I can’t make my host nation appeal to my western values. I don’t choose to carry negativity with me like a heavy bag of dirty laundry. So what gives?

For example, here in Asia, I’ve witnessed a level of cruelty to animals that burns my heart. In some nations, what I consider animal cruelty is just a means to make a living and feed people. Maybe, because of my western upbringing, I just have a super high level of affection for animals. On the other side of the coin, I have quality long-term friendships with people from very different cultures who frankly know little or nothing about me and don’t require that I offer anything in return. I have never been able to foster these kinds of relationships in my home nation. Now, hold on! Before you jump on me, this could simply be a problem of my own making or my way of creating a feeling that I wasn’t able to feel back home.

Maybe there’s some truth in stating that it’s just easier to accept the things you see as shameful in other countries and cultures than it is your own.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

I think an expat’s viewpoint can offer insights from a cultural awareness angle to people who are of the same or similar background as the expat. I am not saying, nor am I implying, that an expat’s point of view is superior to any other. Living within another culture isn’t as romantic as it may sound and expats have plenty of issues to face that can make them question their reasons for living abroad and many of these issues can cause an expat to pack up, return home and list their overseas journey as a failure.

For a long-term expat, there really isn’t an ending journey. People who are willing to fully engage in different ways of thinking and adjusting to new environments are in a constant state of transformation that brings with it a sense of accomplishment. This accomplishment shows that people have more in common with each other then they think. We just have to keep the doors open to share how similar we really are without overstating our differences.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>EPISODE OVERVIEW:

In this episode, I go into a direction that has been on my mind ever since I decided to live permanently outside my nation of birth. I often find it hard to explain to friends and family back in the South Bronx the reasons why I chose to live abroad and face the challenges of living away from familiar faces, places and customs. I didn’t want to fall into the same, and often limited, life style most African-Americans with little or no financial backing often find themselves becoming a part of. Even with a college degree, I felt that I needed to obtain education from other sources to acquire full understanding of the world and, in turn, myself. I also wanted to cast-off the predicted social limits male African-Americans directly or indirectly become a participant of.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER:

I am a podcaster who does a podcast about the, mainly positive, aspects of living life abroad. I must say clearly that there are things that I see in my overseas environment that can upset me if I allow it. I understand that I’m really just a guest and I can’t make my host nation appeal to my western values. I don’t choose to carry negativity with me like a heavy bag of dirty laundry. So what gives?

For example, here in Asia, I’ve witnessed a level of cruelty to animals that burns my heart. In some nations, what I consider animal cruelty is just a means to make a living and feed people. Maybe, because of my western upbringing, I just have a super high level of affection for animals. On the other side of the coin, I have quality long-term friendships with people from very different cultures who frankly know little or nothing about me and don’t require that I offer anything in return. I have never been able to foster these kinds of relationships in my home nation. Now, hold on! Before you jump on me, this could simply be a problem of my own making or my way of creating a feeling that I wasn’t able to feel back home.

Maybe there’s some truth in stating that it’s just easier to accept the things you see as shameful in other countries and cultures than it is your own.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

I think an expat’s viewpoint can offer insights from a cultural awareness angle to people who are of the same or similar background as the expat. I am not saying, nor am I implying, that an expat’s point of view is superior to any other. Living within another culture isn’t as romantic as it may sound and expats have plenty of issues to face that can make them question their reasons for living abroad and many of these issues can cause an expat to pack up, return home and list their overseas journey as a failure.

For a long-term expat, there really isn’t an ending journey. People who are willing to fully engage in different ways of thinking and adjusting to new environments are in a constant state of transformation that brings with it a sense of accomplishment. This accomplishment shows that people have more in common with each other then they think. We just have to keep the doors open to share how similar we really are without overstating our differences.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>21:13cleanIt is often hard to explain to friends and family back in the South Bronx the reasons why I chose to live abroad and face the challenges of living away from familiar faces, places and customs. I didn’t want to fall into the same, and often limited, life style most African-Americans with little or no financial backing often find themselves becoming a part of.32fullJames Thomas4S1F31 Tom Heberlein: More Choices and The Myth of Paying High Swedish Taxes.Tom Heberlein: More Choices and The Myth of Paying High Swedish Taxes.Mon, 02 May 2016 14:19:13 +0000In this episode, we do some myth busting about the value of paying collective taxes. We see how an American expat learnt to appreciate something about his host nation that would raise eyebrows and receive loads of criticism back home. It is often veryhard for an expat to communicate the way other people in differentparts of the world are living and how the particular system theylive under would be of some good use elsewhere.

ABOUT GUEST:

Tom Heberlein is a retired environmental sociologist professorfrom Wisconsin now living with his wife in Stockholm, Sweden. Tomexplains how he fell in love with Sweden. He also explains why themyth and mystery of paying high taxes in Sweden is misinterpretedbuy many Americans. Tom also takes the time to explain step-by-stepwhy logical and fair tax paying is better for the collectivecommunity.

Six Reasons Why to appreciate SwedishTaxes:

Swedish income taxes aren’t much higher than US taxes. Alsotaxes in Sweden provide universal medical and education.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the commentssection below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipepage. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, familyand co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at thebottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episodeupdates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest reviewand rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to theranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single oneof the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all thesame and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this episode, we do some myth busting about the value of paying collective taxes. We see how an American expat learnt to appreciate something about his host nation that would raise eyebrows and receive loads of criticism back home. It is often veryhard for an expat to communicate the way other people in differentparts of the world are living and how the particular system theylive under would be of some good use elsewhere.

ABOUT GUEST:

Tom Heberlein is a retired environmental sociologist professorfrom Wisconsin now living with his wife in Stockholm, Sweden. Tomexplains how he fell in love with Sweden. He also explains why themyth and mystery of paying high taxes in Sweden is misinterpretedbuy many Americans. Tom also takes the time to explain step-by-stepwhy logical and fair tax paying is better for the collectivecommunity.

Six Reasons Why to appreciate SwedishTaxes:

Swedish income taxes aren’t much higher than US taxes. Alsotaxes in Sweden provide universal medical and education.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the commentssection below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipepage. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, familyand co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at thebottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episodeupdates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest reviewand rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to theranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single oneof the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all thesame and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>36:18cleanWe do some myth busting about the value of paying collective taxes. We see how an American expat learnt to appreciate something about his host nation that would raise eyebrows and receive loads of criticism back home. 31fullJames Thomas4S1F30 Expat DilemmasExpat DilemmasThu, 14 Apr 2016 16:00:00 +0000Recently I’ve come across loads of articles stating the “Top #” of places to live as an expat. After a while, I’ve found these lists on the edge of becoming misleading and sometimes down right biased.

These “ Top #” lists point out the best nations to:

Retire / Start a new business / Work or Do business / Get health care / Find a partner

Study or Do research / Learn a new skill / Find romance / Start a family / Etc,……

I am finding that these oversimplified statements are lacking fully developed background information about the locations listed. I’m afraid, that this may cause some people to develop the wrong impression about an overseas location and make incorrect decisions about moving to a particular location.

As an expat you have to learn that no place is a perfect place. Expats should take the positive elements around them and developed a healthy relationship in their second home. They have come to learn that there may be things in their new environment they don’t agree with or can change.

Please understand that Paradise doesn’t exist and your host nation is not obligated to change because of any personal conflicts you may be having.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Please understand that Paradise doesn’t exist and your host nation is not obligated to change because of any personal conflicts you may be having.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Recently I’ve come across loads of articles stating the “Top #” of places to live as an expat. After a while, I’ve found these lists on the edge of becoming misleading and sometimes down right biased.

These “ Top #” lists point out the best nations to:

Retire / Start a new business / Work or Do business / Get health care / Find a partner

Study or Do research / Learn a new skill / Find romance / Start a family / Etc,……

I am finding that these oversimplified statements are lacking fully developed background information about the locations listed. I’m afraid, that this may cause some people to develop the wrong impression about an overseas location and make incorrect decisions about moving to a particular location.

As an expat you have to learn that no place is a perfect place. Expats should take the positive elements around them and developed a healthy relationship in their second home. They have come to learn that there may be things in their new environment they don’t agree with or can change.

Please understand that Paradise doesn’t exist and your host nation is not obligated to change because of any personal conflicts you may be having.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Please understand that Paradise doesn’t exist and your host nation is not obligated to change because of any personal conflicts you may be having.

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>12:47cleanRecently I’ve come across loads of articles stating the “Top #” of places to live as an expat. After a while, I’ve found these lists on the edge of becoming misleading and sometimes down right biased.
These “ Top #” lists point out the best nations to:
Retire / Start a new business / Work or Do business / Get health care / Find a partner / Study or Do research / Learn a new skill / Find romance / Start a family / Etc,……30fullJames Thomas4S1F29 Jamar Whaley: Overcoming Socioeconomic Barriers to Help Promote Educational Exchanges AbroadJamar Whaley: Overcoming Socioeconomic Barriers to Help Promote Educational Exchanges AbroadThu, 07 Apr 2016 16:00:00 +0000In this info-packed episode, James sits down for a chat with fellow New Yorker, Jamar Whaley. Jamar shares his expat experience and talks about his observance on how people from low-socioeconomic classes are not offered or simply blocked from opportunities to study abroad and why this needs to be changed. Jamar often gives an emotional inter-personal perspective on his life abroad.]]>In this info-packed episode, James sits down for a chat with fellow New Yorker, Jamar Whaley. Jamar shares his expat experience and talks about his observance on how people from low-socioeconomic classes are not offered or simply blocked from opportunities to study abroad and why this needs to be changed. Jamar often gives an emotional inter-personal perspective on his life abroad.]]>49:36cleanIn this info-packed episode, James sits down for a chat with fellow New Yorker, Jamar Whaley. Jamar shares his expat experience and talks about his observance on how people from low-socioeconomic classes are not offered or simply blocked from opportunities to study abroad and why this needs to be changed. Jamar often gives an emotional inter-personal perspective on his life abroad.29fullJames Thomas4S1F28 There’s a Whole New World Out ThereThere’s a Whole New World Out ThereThu, 31 Mar 2016 16:00:00 +0000In this episode, we chat with Ms. Clara Wiggins, a prolific blogger, writer and mother of two wonderful girls from the UK and now living in South Africa. Clara is a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and shares her expat experiences with us and offers up some tips for living life abroad. Clara talks about the challenges of raising and educating children in an environment unlike the one they come from. Also, she taps into issues accompanying spouses of different types face while trying to maintain their relationship.

Clara is also the author of a book that I feel future and present-day expats should read called “The Expat Partner’s Survival Guide”. In her book, Clara opens up a pathway for understanding issues expats face while adapting to life overseas as well as explains some crisis an expat may face abroad.

]]>In this episode, we chat with Ms. Clara Wiggins, a prolific blogger, writer and mother of two wonderful girls from the UK and now living in South Africa. Clara is a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and shares her expat experiences with us and offers up some tips for living life abroad. Clara talks about the challenges of raising and educating children in an environment unlike the one they come from. Also, she taps into issues accompanying spouses of different types face while trying to maintain their relationship.

Clara is also the author of a book that I feel future and present-day expats should read called “The Expat Partner’s Survival Guide”. In her book, Clara opens up a pathway for understanding issues expats face while adapting to life overseas as well as explains some crisis an expat may face abroad.

]]>41:24cleanWe chat with Ms. Clara Wiggins, a prolific blogger, writer and mother of two wonderful girls from the UK and now living in South Africa. Clara is a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and shares her expat experiences with us and offers up some tips for living life abroad. Clara talks about the challenges of raising and educating children in an environment unlike the one they come from.28fullJames Thomas4S1F27: Be brave and bold. Step out your comfort zone.Be brave and bold. Step out your comfort zone.Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:00:00 +0000Time really flies and people change. Hopefully people change in good ways and appreciate the things they have and the people around them. Sara Hong is a former student of mine. I first met Sara when she was a forth grader and now she’s working in the legal field in a country that is very unlike her own. Sara is in the city that never sleeps. Join us while we take a walk with Sara through events in her life abroad that at first confused and later amused her. Sara does all this while, at the same time, keeping a positive outlook on her expat life.

With her energetic personality, Sara shares some of the steps she took to prepare for her life abroad. Tune in and hear how Sara is adapting to life in her new environment and the ways she has learnt to further her personal development and interactions with people.

]]>Time really flies and people change. Hopefully people change in good ways and appreciate the things they have and the people around them. Sara Hong is a former student of mine. I first met Sara when she was a forth grader and now she’s working in the legal field in a country that is very unlike her own. Sara is in the city that never sleeps. Join us while we take a walk with Sara through events in her life abroad that at first confused and later amused her. Sara does all this while, at the same time, keeping a positive outlook on her expat life.

With her energetic personality, Sara shares some of the steps she took to prepare for her life abroad. Tune in and hear how Sara is adapting to life in her new environment and the ways she has learnt to further her personal development and interactions with people.

]]>35:00cleanTime really flies and people change. Hopefully people change in good ways and appreciate the things they have and the people around them. Sara Hong is a former student of mine. I first met Sara when she was a forth grader and now she’s working in the legal field in a country that is very unlike her own. Sara is in the city that never sleeps. 27fullJames Thomas4S1F26: The Ups and Downs of a Long-Distance RelationshipThe Ups and Downs of a Long-Distance RelationshipSun, 14 Feb 2016 17:15:32 +0000On this Valentines Day, James chats about the few steps couples can take to help their relationship apart stay afloat. It's not a secret that long-distance relationships can cause a lot of stress to partners and require that both partners be patient and trust one another throughout.

The following are five tips to deal with the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship.

1.Have mutual positive feelings

2.Strong commitment

3.Have faith and trust

4.Communication

5.Be Mature

]]>On this Valentines Day, James chats about the few steps couples can take to help their relationship apart stay afloat. It's not a secret that long-distance relationships can cause a lot of stress to partners and require that both partners be patient and trust one another throughout.

The following are five tips to deal with the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship.

1. Have mutual positive feelings

2. Strong commitment

3. Have faith and trust

4. Communication

5. Be Mature

]]>13:33cleanrelationshipsOn this Valentines Day, James chats about the few steps couples can take to help their relationship apart stay afloat. It's not a secret that long-distance relationships can cause a lot of stress to partners and require that both partners be patient and trust one another throughout26fullJames Thomas4S1F25 Jon Dunning: Consciously contribute Jon Dunning: Consciously contributeMon, 08 Feb 2016 17:45:52 +0000We often hear of or meet people who sacrifice many things for the betterment of others.

In this episode, we sit down for a heart warming chat with Mr. Jon Dunning, originally from London, England, now living in Auckland, New Zealand. Listen to how he and his wife looked abroad to make a better future for their family. Jon wholeheartedly shares his story about how his situation back in London, along with the contacts he made while working overseas, gave him the idea to look beyond borders for a new life experience. Despite some odds against them, learn about the situations his family had to face in order to stay together during their journey to a place they now call home.

Jon touches on how he and his family learnt to become part of their new community. However, at the same time, he also eloquently touches on the fact that nowhere is perfect and that adjustments will always have to be made. While talking with Jon, I discovered that what he and his family went through shows how determined they had to be. His story shows that the willpower of a family can supersede all obstacles.

Jon is also a podcaster and you can find it at the following link:

http://bignoseduglyguy.com

]]>We often hear of or meet people who sacrifice many things for the betterment of others.

In this episode, we sit down for a heart warming chat with Mr. Jon Dunning, originally from London, England, now living in Auckland, New Zealand. Listen to how he and his wife looked abroad to make a better future for their family. Jon wholeheartedly shares his story about how his situation back in London, along with the contacts he made while working overseas, gave him the idea to look beyond borders for a new life experience. Despite some odds against them, learn about the situations his family had to face in order to stay together during their journey to a place they now call home.

Jon touches on how he and his family learnt to become part of their new community. However, at the same time, he also eloquently touches on the fact that nowhere is perfect and that adjustments will always have to be made. While talking with Jon, I discovered that what he and his family went through shows how determined they had to be. His story shows that the willpower of a family can supersede all obstacles.

Jon is also a podcaster and you can find it at the following link:

http://bignoseduglyguy.com

]]>59:42cleanfamilyIn this episode, we sit down for a heart warming chat with Mr. Jon Dunning, from London, England, now living in Auckland, New Zealand. Jon wholeheartedly shares his story about how his situation back in London, along with the contacts he made while working overseas gave him the idea to look beyond borders for a new life experience.25fullJames Thomas4S1F 24 Saul Fleischman : See the world. Visit it.Saul Fleischman : See the world. Visit it.Tue, 19 Jan 2016 16:00:00 +0000Busy Philadelphia native and Penn State graduate, Mr. Saul Fleischman, connects to us from Osaka, Japan to share his expat experiences. Saul is a long-term expat in Japan, with over 22 plus years living there, and shares his story of how he ended up in the place he now calls home. Saul is a straight-talker and walks us through how he followed the typical road many expats take while searching for a purpose in their adopted environment. He describes how Japan left an impression on him during his early visits. However, he points out clearly, even with all it’s uniqueness, Japan can still be challenging.

Saul has a successful Internet business that he manages remotely.Rite Tag: The Social Media Marketing Toolkit: http://www.ritetag.com

]]>Busy Philadelphia native and Penn State graduate, Mr. Saul Fleischman, connects to us from Osaka, Japan to share his expat experiences. Saul is a long-term expat in Japan, with over 22 plus years living there, and shares his story of how he ended up in the place he now calls home. Saul is a straight-talker and walks us through how he followed the typical road many expats take while searching for a purpose in their adopted environment. He describes how Japan left an impression on him during his early visits. However, he points out clearly, even with all it’s uniqueness, Japan can still be challenging.

Saul has a successful Internet business that he manages remotely.Rite Tag: The Social Media Marketing Toolkit: http://www.ritetag.com

]]>52:52cleanPhiladelphia native and Penn State graduate, Mr. Saul Fleischman, connects to us from Osaka, Japan to share his expat experiences. Saul is a long-term expat in Japan, with over 22 plus years living there, and shares his story of how he ended up in the place he now calls home. 24fullJames Thomas4S1F 23 Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar: Expat DilemmasMohanalakshmi Rajakumar: Expat DilemmasWed, 13 Jan 2016 16:00:00 +0000At the end of 2015, I had the opportunity to interview Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, a South Asian American Expat, now living and working in Doha. Mohana is a wonderful speaker and writer who gets to the point. She talks about how she and her two young children adapted to their host nation. Also, she sheds some light on the intricate interactions of the expat community where she lives. Besides being a wonderful writer, speaker and parent, Mohana is also a podcaster! This is why in the interview I called her “super woman”.]]>At the end of 2015, I had the opportunity to interview Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, a South Asian American Expat, now living and working in Doha. Mohana is a wonderful speaker and writer who gets to the point. She talks about how she and her two young children adapted to their host nation. Also, she sheds some light on the intricate interactions of the expat community where she lives. Besides being a wonderful writer, speaker and parent, Mohana is also a podcaster! This is why in the interview I called her “super woman”.]]>56:33cleanMohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a South Asian American Expat now living and working in Doha. Mohana talks about how she and her two young children adapted to their host nation. Also, she sheds some light on the intricate interactions of the expat community where she lives. Besides being a wonderful writer, speaker and parent, Mohana is also a podcaster! This is why in the interview I called her “super woman”.23fullJames Thomas4S1F22 Jonathan Rollins: Keep an Open MindJonathan Rollins: Keep an Open MindTue, 22 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000We are glad to have American expat Mr. Jonathan Rollins as a guest on the show. Now, living and working in Sweden, Jonathan is also married to a wonderful Swedish lady and they have a young little (1.5 year old) boy bouncing around the house. I learnt about Jonathan through a blog post he wrote about gun control in the US. His viewpoint of his home from abroad prompted me to track him down for a chat. As it turns out, Jonathan has an interesting story about how he ended up in Sweden and to top things off he is also a podcast co-host of a popular Swedish podcast! He podcasts in English mixed with Swedish! Very cool! And that’s not all! Jonathan is also a comedian! You just can’t get better than this! Join us for this memorable podcast!]]>We are glad to have American expat Mr. Jonathan Rollins as a guest on the show. Now, living and working in Sweden, Jonathan is also married to a wonderful Swedish lady and they have a young little (1.5 year old) boy bouncing around the house. I learnt about Jonathan through a blog post he wrote about gun control in the US. His viewpoint of his home from abroad prompted me to track him down for a chat. As it turns out, Jonathan has an interesting story about how he ended up in Sweden and to top things off he is also a podcast co-host of a popular Swedish podcast! He podcasts in English mixed with Swedish! Very cool! And that’s not all! Jonathan is also a comedian! You just can’t get better than this! Join us for this memorable podcast!]]>43:14cleanWe are glad to have American expat Mr. Jonathan Rollins as a guest on the show. Now, living and working in Sweden, Jonathan is also married to a wonderful Swedish lady and they have a young little (1.5 year old) boy bouncing around the house. I learnt about Jonathan through a blog post he wrote about gun control in the US. His viewpoint of his home from abroad prompted me to track him down for a chat.22fullJames Thomas4S1F21 Avalon Owens: Spend time in a place where you are a minority Avalon Owens: Spend time in a place where you are a minorityTue, 15 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000An American expat from Harvard University studying Entomology in Taiwan, Avalon Owens (姜安蓉), joins us in a chat about how she ended up in Taiwan. Avalon has also spent time in Beijing and she explains the non-typical way she learned Mandarin Chinese. Avalon is full of energy and always delightful. Come hear what she has to say. I guarantee she’ll put a smile on your face.]]>An American expat from Harvard University studying Entomology in Taiwan, Avalon Owens (姜安蓉), joins us in a chat about how she ended up in Taiwan. Avalon has also spent time in Beijing and she explains the non-typical way she learned Mandarin Chinese. Avalon is full of energy and always delightful. Come hear what she has to say. I guarantee she’ll put a smile on your face.]]>49:35cleanAn American expat from Harvard University studying Entomology in Taiwan, Avalon Owens (姜安蓉), joins us in a chat about how she ended up in Taiwan. Avalon has also spent time in Beijing and she explains the non-typical way she learned Mandarin Chinese. Avalon is full of energy and always delightful. Come hear what she has to say. I guarantee she’ll put a smile on your face.21fullJames Thomas4S1F20 Anton Botes: If people want to make a change.Anton Botes: If people want to make a changeTue, 08 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000We are very happy to have South African music designer Anton Botes on the show to share his experiences living abroad. He talks about why he decided to make the change from his established occupation in South Africa to a new life overseas. He also offers some special insight to his lifestyle abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>We are very happy to have South African music designer Anton Botes on the show to share his experiences living abroad. He talks about why he decided to make the change from his established occupation in South Africa to a new life overseas. He also offers some special insight to his lifestyle abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>47:44cleanWe are very happy to have South African music designer Anton Botes on the show to share his experiences living abroad. He talks about why he decided to make the change from his established occupation in South Africa to a new life overseas. He also offers some special insight to his lifestyle abroad.20fullJames Thomas4S1F19 Things you should know before accepting employment overseas.Things you should know before accepting employment overseas.Fri, 04 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000Over the past few weeks, listeners have been writing to me asking about employment opportunities and conditions abroad and I found myself repeating the same advice over and over again. It looks like many people are to shy to leave a message on the website so I decided to create a podcast on the topic. Much like looking for employment in your home nation, there are basic questions that should be asked and be concerned about. However, simply because of the location and distances involved in overseas employment and assignments, extra care and attention to detail must be given to the overall description, salary, benefits and others. All in all, working abroad can be a life changer for anyone accepting the challenge to step outside his or her home nation. It can help a person develop the skills necessary to function in an ever-expanding global marketplace. In this podcast I offer some tips to help those people looking for job opportunities overseas.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Over the past few weeks, listeners have been writing to me asking about employment opportunities and conditions abroad and I found myself repeating the same advice over and over again. It looks like many people are to shy to leave a message on the website so I decided to create a podcast on the topic. Much like looking for employment in your home nation, there are basic questions that should be asked and be concerned about. However, simply because of the location and distances involved in overseas employment and assignments, extra care and attention to detail must be given to the overall description, salary, benefits and others. All in all, working abroad can be a life changer for anyone accepting the challenge to step outside his or her home nation. It can help a person develop the skills necessary to function in an ever-expanding global marketplace. In this podcast I offer some tips to help those people looking for job opportunities overseas.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>24:24cleanListeners have been writing to me asking about employment opportunities and conditions abroad and I found myself repeating the same advice over and over again. It looks like many people are to shy to leave a message on the website so I decided to create a podcast on the topic. Much like looking for employment in your home nation, there are basic questions that should be asked and be concerned about.19fullJames ThomaThere’s a grain of truth in a lot of what some people (say) who criticise - 4S1F8Mark Goding: There’s a grain of truth in a lot of what some people (say) who criticiseTue, 01 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000Mark Goding, a fifteen plus year Australian expat living in Taiwan, chats with James about his early travels before ending up in the place he now calls home. A class A optimist, Mark is well known for his endless energy and outspokenness and he always has an antidote for any situation or cause. He keeps active and also runs his own business selling sausages to local business.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Mark Goding, a fifteen plus year Australian expat living in Taiwan, chats with James about his early travels before ending up in the place he now calls home. A class A optimist, Mark is well known for his endless energy and outspokenness and he always has an antidote for any situation or cause. He keeps active and also runs his own business selling sausages to local business.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>01:01:45cleanMark Goding, a fifteen plus year Australian expat living in Taiwan, chats with James about his early travels before ending up in the place he now calls home. A class A optimist, Mark is well known for his endless energy and outspokenness and he always has an antidote for any situation or cause. He keeps active and also runs his own business selling sausages to local business.18fullJames ThomasYou have to be Brave - 4S1F7Kathy Wang: You have to be BraveTue, 24 Nov 2015 16:00:00 +0000In this short episode we sit down for a late night chat with Kathy Wang, a Taiwanese expat living in Brisbane, Australia. Kathy started off her Australian journey on a working holiday. Now, two and a half years later, Kathy is pursuing her master’s degree and, at the same time, working in a local Australian company. Kathy talks about how she prepared to deal with language and cultural issues. She also points out the importance of getting out and mixing in your local community.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>In this short episode we sit down for a late night chat with Kathy Wang, a Taiwanese expat living in Brisbane, Australia. Kathy started off her Australian journey on a working holiday. Now, two and a half years later, Kathy is pursuing her master’s degree and, at the same time, working in a local Australian company. Kathy talks about how she prepared to deal with language and cultural issues. She also points out the importance of getting out and mixing in your local community.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>32:05cleanWe chat with Kathy Wang, a Taiwanese expat living in Brisbane, Australia. Kathy started off her Australian journey on a working holiday. Now, two and a half years later, Kathy is pursuing her master’s degree and, at the same time, working in a local Australian company. 17fullJames ThomasTaking opportunities to learn - 4S1F16William Cruz Molina: Taking opportunities to learnTue, 17 Nov 2015 16:00:00 +0000Colombian Expatriate William Cruz Molina is in the Taipei studio to chat about how he ended up coming to Taiwan to study in university. William also talks about how important it is to get outside your protective shell and mix with an overseas environment. He explains the situations he encountered while learning the local language and culture. In the end, he points out how his experience as an expat helped him further develop his view of his life and world.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Colombian Expatriate William Cruz Molina is in the Taipei studio to chat about how he ended up coming to Taiwan to study in university. William also talks about how important it is to get outside your protective shell and mix with an overseas environment. He explains the situations he encountered while learning the local language and culture. In the end, he points out how his experience as an expat helped him further develop his view of his life and world.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>31:25cleanColombian Expatriate William Cruz Molina talks about how he ended up in Taiwan to study in university. William also talks about how important it is to get outside your protective shell and mix with an overseas environment. He explains the situations he encountered while learning the local language and culture. 16fullJames ThomasWe’re really not that all different. Kindness is universal - 4S1F15Brent Smith: We’re really not that all different. Kindness is universal.Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:00:00 +0000Today we sit down for a chat with Brent Smith. Brent is a Canadian expat residing in Taiwan for 15 years! He shares his views of how his overseas experience helped him widen his view of the world. He notes during the interview that people are generally the same and kindness really is universal. Brent has lived in a few places in Taiwan and is well qualified to compare and contrast both the positive and negative aspects of being a long-term overseas expat.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Today we sit down for a chat with Brent Smith. Brent is a Canadian expat residing in Taiwan for 15 years! He shares his views of how his overseas experience helped him widen his view of the world. He notes during the interview that people are generally the same and kindness really is universal. Brent has lived in a few places in Taiwan and is well qualified to compare and contrast both the positive and negative aspects of being a long-term overseas expat.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>39:51cleanBrent is a Canadian expat residing in Taiwan for 15 years! He shares his views of how his overseas experience helped him widen his view of the world. He notes during the interview that people are generally the same and kindness really is universal. Brent has lived in a few places in Taiwan and is well qualified to compare and contrast both the positive and negative aspects of being a long-term overseas expat.15fullJames ThomasWorking overseas as a Female Expat - 4S1F14Christine Chang: Working overseas as a Female ExpatWed, 04 Nov 2015 03:49:16 +0000Today we interview Ms. Christine Chang, a Taiwanese expat working in Hong Kong. Ms. Chang, in her first Internet interview, shares with James Thomas her experiences working and living abroad. Christine talks about some of the issues she’s faced working in a “male dominated” industry and how it seems that more women at put in hi-level management positions in many Hong Kong companies. She also points out what was her drive to look overseas for an employment challenge and the value of an overseas work experience for women today.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Today we interview Ms. Christine Chang, a Taiwanese expat working in Hong Kong. Ms. Chang, in her first Internet interview, shares with James Thomas her experiences working and living abroad. Christine talks about some of the issues she’s faced working in a “male dominated” industry and how it seems that more women at put in hi-level management positions in many Hong Kong companies. She also points out what was her drive to look overseas for an employment challenge and the value of an overseas work experience for women today.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>39:07cleanMs. Christine Chang, a Taiwanese expat working in Hong Kong. Ms. Chang, in her first Internet interview, shares with James Thomas her experiences working and living abroad. Christine talks about some of the issues she’s faced working in a “male dominated” industry and how it seems that more women at put in hi-level management positions in many Hong Kong companies.14fullJames ThomasChallenges Women Expatriates Face While Climbing Up the Ladder of Success - 4S1F13Challenges Women Expatriates Face While Climbing Up the Ladder of SuccessThu, 29 Oct 2015 14:16:45 +0000What are some of the issues female expatriates have to face while living and working abroad? What are the unique situations they encounter as a result of their assignments, locations and especially gender? Today, female expats say that they feel the need to take on international assignments or rotations to further their career goals and prove self-worth. They note that one of the prerequisites for a top-level executive position is having an international overseas experience….. Women, under the many unspoken rules (不成文的規定) of some corporations, aren’t considered for certain overseas assignments because of their gender or a glass ceiling. Yes, the corporate world is still a man’s world and women are still finding it an uphill battle to raise their flags of accomplishments.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>What are some of the issues female expatriates have to face while living and working abroad? What are the unique situations they encounter as a result of their assignments, locations and especially gender? Today, female expats say that they feel the need to take on international assignments or rotations to further their career goals and prove self-worth. They note that one of the prerequisites for a top-level executive position is having an international overseas experience….. Women, under the many unspoken rules (不成文的規定) of some corporations, aren’t considered for certain overseas assignments because of their gender or a glass ceiling. Yes, the corporate world is still a man’s world and women are still finding it an uphill battle to raise their flags of accomplishments.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>12:32cleanWhat are some of the issues female expatriates have to face while living and working abroad? What are the unique situations they encounter as a result of their assignments, locations and especially gender? Today, female expats say that they feel the need to take on international assignments or rotations to further their career goals and prove self-worth.13fullJames ThomasHomesickness - 4S1F12HomesicknessFri, 09 Oct 2015 20:09:02 +0000We often hear people from all cultures living away from their home or in an unfamiliar environment talk about their feelings of being homesick and the reasons why they feel the way they do. Now, hold on for a minute! What does homesick or homesickness really mean? What are the elements that form these feelings? Is being homesick really about how a person feels about their “home”? What really does “homesick” mean and what are the underlining symptoms that show up as a result?

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>We often hear people from all cultures living away from their home or in an unfamiliar environment talk about their feelings of being homesick and the reasons why they feel the way they do. Now, hold on for a minute! What does homesick or homesickness really mean? What are the elements that form these feelings? Is being homesick really about how a person feels about their “home”? What really does “homesick” mean and what are the underlining symptoms that show up as a result?

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>20:45cleanWe often hear people from all cultures living away from their home or in an unfamiliar environment talk about their feelings of being homesick and the reasons why they feel the way they do. Now, hold on for a minute! What does homesick or homesickness really mean? What are the elements that form these feelings?12fullJames ThomasThings to Pay Attention to While Traveling Abroad - 4S1F11Things to Pay Attention to While Traveling AbroadSun, 04 Oct 2015 19:15:28 +0000Going abroad can help a traveler widen his or her viewpoint of the world by giving the person a personal relationship with the location and the people encountered. However, when planning to travel overseas there are steps that need to be taken to ensure the traveler’s safety and wellbeing.

In this podcast I offer a few tips to assist anyone from anywhere in their preparations before and during a journey abroad. Many of the points I raise can be called common sense. No matter where you plan to travel, following these steps can help keep you safe and your trip a memorable one.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Going abroad can help a traveler widen his or her viewpoint of the world by giving the person a personal relationship with the location and the people encountered. However, when planning to travel overseas there are steps that need to be taken to ensure the traveler’s safety and wellbeing.

In this podcast I offer a few tips to assist anyone from anywhere in their preparations before and during a journey abroad. Many of the points I raise can be called common sense. No matter where you plan to travel, following these steps can help keep you safe and your trip a memorable one.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>26:58cleanGoing abroad can help a traveler widen his or her viewpoint of the world by giving the person a personal relationship with the location and the people encountered. However, when planning to travel overseas there are steps that need to be taken to ensure the traveler’s safety and wellbeing.11fullJames ThomasLearn about expat life in Finland with Steve, Ken and Guillermo of techxpatspodcast.com - 4S1F10Learn about expat life in Finland with Steve, Ken and Guillermo of techxpatspodcast.comFri, 25 Sep 2015 17:01:35 +0000When people talk about Finland, most of the time they describe a place flanked with historical architecture, monuments and fields of grass. Within this background three expats from Britain, America and Spain now call Finland their home. Steve, Ken and Guillermo, the three host of the podcast “techxpatspodcast.com”, sit down for a chat with our host, James Thomas, and share their connections and reasons for calling Finland home.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>When people talk about Finland, most of the time they describe a place flanked with historical architecture, monuments and fields of grass. Within this background three expats from Britain, America and Spain now call Finland their home. Steve, Ken and Guillermo, the three host of the podcast “techxpatspodcast.com”, sit down for a chat with our host, James Thomas, and share their connections and reasons for calling Finland home.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>01:04:37cleanfinlandWhen people talk about Finland, most of the time they describe a place flanked with historical architecture, monuments and fields of grass. Within this background three expats from Britain, America and Spain now call Finland their home. Steve, Ken and Guillermo, the three host of the podcast “techxpatspodcast.com”, sit down for a chat with our host, James Thomas, and share their connections and reasons for calling Finland home.10fullJames ThomasInterview with American expat language Consultant Erik Lahdekorpi - 4S1F9Interview with American expat language Consultant Erik LahdekorpiTue, 22 Sep 2015 14:33:26 +0000Tune in and join us as we interview American expat Erik Lahdakorpi. Erik has been all over the world experiencing life overseas. He has interesting stories and antidotes to share about his times living abroad. Erik is not only an adventurer, but also a well established English language consultant. His service has helped many professionals get a secure foothold on the English language.

His incredible experience needs to be shared and will give you a chance to look into what Iran is really like.

Check it out:

]]>Tune in and join us as we interview American expat Erik Lahdakorpi. Erik has been all over the world experiencing life overseas. He has interesting stories and antidotes to share about his times living abroad. Erik is not only an adventurer, but also a well established English language consultant. His service has helped many professionals get a secure foothold on the English language.

His incredible experience needs to be shared and will give you a chance to look into what Iran is really like.

Check it out:

]]>47:56cleanTune in and join us as we interview American expat Erik Lahdakorpi. Erik has been all over the world experiencing life overseas. He has interesting stories and antidotes to share about his times living abroad. Erik is not only an adventurer, but also a well established English language consultant. His service has helped many professionals get a secure foothold on the English language.9fullJames ThomasLeaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over - 4S1F8Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed OverSun, 20 Sep 2015 11:17:36 +0000A longtime friend on Facebook sent me a link from a blog (http://anamericanintaipei.com) that had the flashing title “Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over”. I found this to be an interesting title as well as a topic of interest to many expats employed abroad.

Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over”. I found this to be an interesting title as well as a topic of interest to many expats employed abroad. I contacted the Webmaster and author of the mentioned article, Ms. Katy Kessinger, to chat with her about her blog post. Let's listen to her experiences living overseas as well as how she handles a problem at the workplace.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>A longtime friend on Facebook sent me a link from a blog (http://anamericanintaipei.com) that had the flashing title “Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over”. I found this to be an interesting title as well as a topic of interest to many expats employed abroad.

Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over”. I found this to be an interesting title as well as a topic of interest to many expats employed abroad. I contacted the Webmaster and author of the mentioned article, Ms. Katy Kessinger, to chat with her about her blog post. Let's listen to her experiences living overseas as well as how she handles a problem at the workplace.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>54:50cleanemploymentA longtime friend on Facebook sent me a link from a blog (http://anamericanintaipei.com) that had the flashing title “Leaving an EFL Job Gracefully After You’ve Been Screwed Over”. I found this to be an interesting title as well as a topic of interest to many expats employed abroad.8fullJames ThomasViews of an expat's home country from abroad - 4S1F7Views of an expat's home country from abroad.Sun, 20 Sep 2015 08:45:23 +0000Views of an expat's home country from abroad

After watch the GOP debate the need for a more true international understanding is needed. This is why I created this podcast. We are all the same, but different. This really makes ALL our lives more colorful and meaningful.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Views of an expat's home country from abroad

After watch the GOP debate the need for a more true international understanding is needed. This is why I created this podcast. We are all the same, but different. This really makes ALL our lives more colorful and meaningful.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>11:06noAfter watch the GOP debate the need for a more true international understanding is needed. This is why I created this podcast. We are all the same, but different. This really makes ALL our lives more colorful and meaningful.7fullJames ThomasAre you suitable for living abroad? - 4S1F6Are you suitable for living abroad?Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:01:39 +0000For a variety of different reasons, many people think about moving or living long-term in another country. Of course, people thinking like this should know that they might need time to adapt. Learning to co-exist in a country with people of different cultural characteristics, language, cuisines, religions, moral values, ethics and others on a daily basis may not be a skill some of us can obtain. If you are steadfast and determined to living a life abroad, be prepared to make a checklist of why you are suitable for living abroad. Explore your reason for wanting to live abroad with James.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>For a variety of different reasons, many people think about moving or living long-term in another country. Of course, people thinking like this should know that they might need time to adapt. Learning to co-exist in a country with people of different cultural characteristics, language, cuisines, religions, moral values, ethics and others on a daily basis may not be a skill some of us can obtain. If you are steadfast and determined to living a life abroad, be prepared to make a checklist of why you are suitable for living abroad. Explore your reason for wanting to live abroad with James.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

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]]>15:38cleanliving,lifestyle,expatFor a variety of different reasons, many people think about moving or living long-term in another country. Of course, people thinking like this should know that they might need time to adapt. Learning to co-exist in a country with people of different cultural characteristics, language, cuisines, religions, moral values, ethics and others on a daily basis may not be a skill some of us can obtain6fullJames ThomasAmericans Trends in Studying Abroad - 4S1F5Americans Trends in Studying AbroadSat, 29 Aug 2015 18:21:30 +0000This isn’t new news. In fact, maybe it’s a trend. More and more students are leaving the US to study abroad. Nothing new about this fact, but the point to mention is less than 10% of American students today choose to study abroad and there are several reasons why this is so. This low rate of increase is far behind the rates of students seeking an overseas learning experience in the US from other countries...

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This isn’t new news. In fact, maybe it’s a trend. More and more students are leaving the US to study abroad. Nothing new about this fact, but the point to mention is less than 10% of American students today choose to study abroad and there are several reasons why this is so. This low rate of increase is far behind the rates of students seeking an overseas learning experience in the US from other countries...

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]]>32:27cleaneducation,study,abroadMore and more students are leaving the US to study abroad. Nothing new about this fact, but the point to mention is less than 10% of American students today choose to study abroad and there are several reasons why this is so.5fullJames ThomasInterview with US Expat and radio personality Stevie G - 4S1F4Interview with US Expat and radio personality Stevie GSat, 22 Aug 2015 12:06:34 +0000Join James in a studio interview with local radio and TV personality Stevie G. Listen to the road this US expat took to find his way in his new home. Stevie has some funny encounters and anecdotes to share during his time in Taiwan.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Join James in a studio interview with local radio and TV personality Stevie G. Listen to the road this US expat took to find his way in his new home. Stevie has some funny encounters and anecdotes to share during his time in Taiwan.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>46:48cleanradio,us,taiwan,personality,expatJoin James in a studio interview with local radio and TV personality Stevie G. Listen to the road this US expat took to find his way in his new home. Stevie has some funny encounters and anecdotes to share during his time in Taiwan.4fullJames ThomasWork Permit and the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC) - 4S1F3Work Permit and the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC)Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:56:29 +0000This episode was quickly patched together while in the middle of Super TyphoonSoudelor (8/8/2015).I wanted to get this episode out before the heavy part of the storm hit the island and as a result a lot of tongue twisting occurred.

In this episode I present a very brief overview of getting a Taiwan work permit and an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).

I would also like to make a correction. I referred to the TaiwanNational Immigration Agency (NIA) as the National Immigration Association more than a few times in this episode, which isn’t the correct title of the NIA.

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Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>This episode was quickly patched together while in the middle of Super Typhoon Soudelor (8/8/2015). I wanted to get this episode out before the heavy part of the storm hit the island and as a result a lot of tongue twisting occurred.

In this episode I present a very brief overview of getting a Taiwan work permit and an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).

I would also like to make a correction. I referred to the Taiwan National Immigration Agency (NIA) as the National Immigration Association more than a few times in this episode, which isn’t the correct title of the NIA.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>14:07cleanwork,alien,resident,taiwan,certificate,permanent,permit,aprcThis episode was quickly patched together while in the middle of Super Typhoon Soudelor (8/8/2015). I wanted to get this episode out before the heavy part of the storm hit the island and as a result a lot of tongue twisting occurred. In this episode I present a very brief overview of getting a Taiwan work permit and an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).3fullJames ThomasComing to Taiwan and the Alien Resident Certificate - 4S1F2Coming to Taiwan and the Alien Resident CertificateFri, 31 Jul 2015 17:24:53 +0000First off, please excuse my “Ahhh”, “Humms” and twisted tongue in this episode. Here is some fast paced information for people planning to come to Taiwan. Here, I’ll quickly talk about what is needed to apply for a visit or a stay. Most of the information I present here in this episode can be found at the Taiwan Nation Immigration Agency (NIA) website at these links:

In a later podcast episode I will cover how to obtain a work permit and later down the line an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (ARC). Feel free to preview the NIA website and if you have any questions drop me a note at this link and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

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Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>First off, please excuse my “Ahhh”, “Humms” and twisted tongue in this episode. Here is some fast paced information for people planning to come to Taiwan. Here, I’ll quickly talk about what is needed to apply for a visit or a stay. Most of the information I present here in this episode can be found at the Taiwan Nation Immigration Agency (NIA) website at these links:

In a later podcast episode I will cover how to obtain a work permit and later down the line an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (ARC). Feel free to preview the NIA website and if you have any questions drop me a note at this link and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

]]>

17:30cleanalien,resident,taiwan,certificate,permanentFirst off, please excuse my “Ahhh”, “Humms” and twisted tongue in this episode. Here is some fast paced information for people planning to come to Taiwan. Here, I’ll quickly talk about what is needed to apply for a visit or a stay. Most of the information I present here in this episode can be found at the Taiwan Nation Immigration Agency (NIA) website 2fullJames ThomasPodcast Introduction - 4S1F1 Podcast IntroductionSat, 25 Jul 2015 12:26:46 +0000Have you ever wondered how your life would be if you suddenly had to travel or live abroad? How would you adapt? How would you communicate? How would you make friends? This is the podcast to learn about living overseas as an expatriate. Tune in and learn about the ups and downs to cultural and social adaptation when living abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>Have you ever wondered how your life would be if you suddenly had to travel or live abroad? How would you adapt? How would you communicate? How would you make friends? This is the podcast to learn about living overseas as an expatriate. Tune in and learn about the ups and downs to cultural and social adaptation when living abroad.

Please help us make this show better by filling in this Expat Life Expat Life Survey.

It will help us produce a better show for you and thanks!

If you have any feedback, please leave a note in the comments section below or leave a voice message via our SpeakPipe voice message page. We would love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this please share it with your friends, family and co-workers by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Please subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get automatic episode updates of our podcasts.

And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on Apple Podcasts. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get.

Please help us spread the word and leave a review in Apple Podcasts by clicking here!

Thank you for listening to Four Seas One Family. We are all the same and at the same time uniquely different!

]]>09:37cleanchina,taiwan,abroad,expatriateHave you ever wondered how your life would be if you suddenly had to travel or live abroad? How would you adapt? How would you communicate? How would you make friends? This is the podcast to learn about living overseas as an expatriate. Tune in and learn about the ups and downs to cultural and social adaptation when living abroad.1fullJames Thomas